Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband
513 Life Without Barriers

(Winona)

The moment I step into the farmhouse, the scent of lavender and woodland spice welcomes me like an old friend. I know it's one of Klara's aromatherapy concoctions that I love. Lisa has given me a ride home to save Jayden the trip into the city as he's here with the kids.

The kids are buzzing around like a small tornado, their excitement obvious. It's a stark contrast to the opulence of Brussels high-end estate or Jayden's Penthouse here. This place is different. It's ours.

Once I have the renovations done, it will still be luxurious, of course-heated floors, state-of-the-art kitchen, and furnishings you'd see in a design magazine-but not excessive.

It's cozy, warm, and every inch of it feels lived-in. It's like the cottage in a way. A family home but this place has something the cottage didn't have. A history in its walls of previous families. It feels like home in a way nowhere else I've ever lived has. Even my townhouse, which was perfect for me at the time, pales in comparison at how this place just feels right for me and my family.

Abbey comes charging toward me the moment she spots me. Her dark curls bounce as she throws herself into my arms, her little hands gripping me tightly. "Mommy! You're home!"

"I am, sweetheart," I say, bending carefully to scoop Henry up without straining my healing head wound and slightly sore body. "I missed you all so much."

I kiss Abbey on the cheek.

"You have to see what we've done, Mom!" Bobby's voice cuts through the chatter as he strides into the room, his face alight with pride. I swear he's a foot taller in a week.

Henry giggles and reaches his arms out to Bobby. Bobby grins at him and takes him off me. "Let me take this chubster while we go check it all out."

"We've been very busy, Mommy," Sarah chimes in, grabbing my hand. "I love my room, and I've cleaned out the old stable."

I see the hopefulness in her eyes. Having a pony of her own has been what she's wanted since she helped in the stables at Brussels. "Ponies are a lot of work."

"I know. I learned in Brussels, remember?" Her bright eyes shine.

"I do remember, darling. But helping out and owning are very different. How about we talk with your dad, and see what he thinks?"

Sarah beams. "Okay."

"No promises though."

"And we did lots of other stuff outside!" Abbey interrupts enthusiastically. "Aunt Lisa helped."

Lisa has her arms crossed and an amused look on her face. "Don't let them fool you," she says. "I'm the real MVP here. Supervising these monkeys is a full-time job. You owe me wine and a massage. Actually, just the massage, wine tastes crap lately." I laugh, the sound easing some of the lingering sadness inside me. "Let me get settled, and then I'll see all your masterpieces."

Anne peeks her head out of the kitchen, her hands dusted with flour. "You'll want to check out the backyard first," she says with a smile. "Bobby's been working on a little project out there. Stay out of the kitchen for now, it's like a flour bomb hit it." "I'm sure it's perfectly fine, Anne. I appreciate you so much."

"Jayden's on a call out the back."

"Thanks Anne." I follow the kids outside, Lisa trailing behind me.

The backyard is a testament to their hard work and creativity.

Raised garden beds frame the space, filled with vibrant herbs and vegetables. A sleek swing set gleams under the shade of an old oak tree. There's even a small pathway lined with flowers that I

know weren't here before.

"I worked on the path!" Bobby says proudly, gesturing toward the intricate arrangement of stones. "The landscapers in Brussels showed me how to set the base and make it level."

"You did that?" I ask, genuinely impressed. "Bobby, it's amazing. I love it."

"Yeah! And Dad helped with the garden beds."

"You'll make a woodsman out of him yet." I ruffle his hair.

"Bobby is a slavedriver," Lisa says, nudging him playfully. "That's what his specialty is."

"I'm very proud of you."

Bobby beams, his chest puffing out a little. He puts Henry down and he runs towards the gazebo in the entertaining area further down the back. I go to grab him as he runs.

"It's okay, Mom. He's safe. I made sure of it and dad is in the gazebo."

I let out a sigh of relief. I hug Bobby and he hugs me back in his stiff teen-boy style. "I'm the luckiest Mom in the whole world, you know that?"

Anne joins us, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "The kids have been fantastic. They all have their chores, and they've been sticking to them."

"Every day," Sarah chimes in. "I'm in charge of the flowers by the porch."

"And I make sure I have my room clean and help Nanny Anne with dinner," Abbey adds, her voice full of pride.

"Great work, Sweetie."

"It's an army camp around here."

"It's good for them," I say, glancing at Lisa. "They need responsibility and learn how to contribute. I don't want them growing up thinking everything will be handed to them. I wasn't." Lisa raises an eyebrow. "You do realize they're literal billionaires, right? You all are."

"Which is exactly why they need to learn this stuff," I reply firmly. "Money doesn't mean they can't work hard or appreciate the value of what they have. I wasn't raised with money. I worked hard to get my scholarships to high school and

college, you know that."

"I know, Babe. I'm not coming for you. I just don't want you to put too much pressure on yourself. You have the funds; you don't have to be afraid of using them."

"I get it. And I will. But the kids can be without boundaries. That's important to me."

Jayden steps out from the gazebo

further down the yard, holding Henry in one arm while balancing his phone in the other hand. He's dressed in a crisp shirt and dark

jeans, his usual mix of casual and

commanding.

He gives me a huge smile. The smile that has made me melt since Junior high when I first met him.

Boy, we've been through the best and the worst of life. Now I hope we can live life out of the past and without boundaries ourselves.

At least the boundaries of Judy and other past demons.

Am I expecting too much?