Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

(Winona)

Lisa stares out the window, chewing on the corner of her nail-something she only does when she's about two seconds away from a full-on meltdown.

The highway stretches out ahead, I can't stop thinking about Logan Bennett. Lance's twin. A walking, talking ghost we never knew existed. I can only imagine how rocked Lisa must feel. I grip the steering wheel. "You good?"

Lisa lets out a short laugh, but it's hollow. "Define 'good.' Because if it means questioning my entire reality while also wanting to throw myself into traffic, then yeah. I'm fucking great."

I glance at her. "You're not throwing yourself into anything except maybe a bath later with a gallon of wine."

"I think any alcohol now might result in me making myself obnoxious. You know how I get." Lisa stares out her window again.

Then she continues talking. "I seriously thought I was hallucinating, Winona. Like, actual delusions. One minute I'm faking my way through this business gig, the next I'm staring at Lance-except not Lance. And now I have to decide if I want to see him again or just disappear off the grid."

I keep my voice steady, calm. "In Logan's defense, he didn't know he was meeting with someone Lance had a complicated relationship with. He just thought he was meeting the new CEO." "What? New CEO? Isn't he the CEO?"

"No. He's CFO, Lance taught him everything he knew. They both have that same flair for numbers, apparently. Lance set you up as the new CEO. You'd be working hand in hand with Logan..." "Why would he do that?"

I shrug... but then I need to tell her what I really think... "Honestly? I wonder if he was trying to give you what he couldn't. Logan seems way more emotionally available than Lance ever was. How do you think you're going to handle this all now?" She shakes her head. "No clue. Maybe fake my own death? That could work."

I smirk. "Nah, too much of a diva. You can't lay low for a day. The rest of your life would be impossible."

She lets out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. But I'm not ready to face Logan again, not yet. I need time to process the fact that Lance-Lance-kept this from us. From me."

I nod, "it's classic Lance, though. He always played his cards close. He loved a dramatic unveiling."

"Yeah, well, this isn't poker. This is real life. He chose to not be a part of our lives any longer. It doesn't seem fair that he can still affect us so much. It's just... a lot."

I tap my fingers on the wheel, hesitant before I say, "maybe the USB has something about all of this."

She stiffens beside me, her fingers curling into a fist on her lap. "Yeah. Maybe."

I glance over, catching the tension in her jaw. "You haven't looked at it yet, have you?"

Lisa shakes her head, her voice tight. "Nope. And I don't want to. Especially if he's announcing that he's some kind of hero by handing me his twin on a silver platter. I don't want emotionally available Lance, I wanted Lance, warts and all." "I mean, that's just my first thought. It doesn't mean that's what Lance was thinking."

“Of course it's what he was thinking.

He was trying to fix things for me But feelings aren't that easy. I mean Logan and I might not get along. He might be Lance's twin, but he isn't Lance."

"That's true. He is a completely different person. You don't have to feel obligated or grateful. But I do hope you at least give the CEO

position a go. Lance was never net

ong about who could do what job the best. Got me and Jayden out of many corporate holes by swapping staff to different tasks."

"It's just like him to be so matter-of-fact about me being able to move on with a carbon copy of him. He just never got emotions, did he? Not like we do."

"Nope, he never did. But that's what made us love him."

"Exactly! If I was looking for emotional availability I could have had a million relationships."

"I'm so sorry this has worked out so shit for you, Lisa. I really am."

"It's all way too fucking much. I'm all for other people's drama. You've been keeping me going for years. I don't like being on the receiving end. That USB can stay where it is." "Whatever's on there," I say carefully, "it's better to know than keep wondering. You don't have to do it alone, you know."

Lisa glances at me, her lips pressing together. "I know. I just... I need a minute or five before I open Pandora's box, okay?"

"Okay," I say softly. I can't help feeling there's something she isn't telling me. Maybe she has watched it and it's too hard to talk about.noveldrama

She leans her head against the

window, staring at the passing scenery. "You know, I wish Lance left me something cool in his will. Like a fleet of yachts, or a stash of secret diamonds, or maybe a tropical island."

I snort. "Instead, he left you his twin and a job. Congrats."

Lisa groans dramatically. "Worst. Inheritance. E-ver."

I smile, this dark humor feels familiar for us. Lance taught us well.

"On the bright side, you rocked that corporate power suit."

Lisa glances down at herself and grimaces. "Ugh. I hate it. I look like I'm about to file someone's taxes."

I smirk. "You do. But like... in a hot way."

Lisa rolls her eyes. "Don't. I'm a fraud. Give me ripped jeans and stilettos any day."

I don't say anything, just reach over and squeeze her hand. She grips mine back tightly, and for a moment, it feels like we're back in our old rhythm. Just two best friends surviving the chaos.

As the farmhouse finally comes into view, Lisa exhales. "I'll stay over here tonight. You need to have time with your family. I'll head to my apartment tomorrow."

I nod. "That saves me trying to convince you."

"I figured you need a break as much as I do right now."