Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

361 Connedion

361 Connection (Jayden)

I've come home from work not a moment too soon. I step into this pristine mansion and immediately feel the tension in the air. Henry is crying.

From the look on the tutor's face as she gathers her things, it's been a long day.

"Mr. Brennan," the tutor says, her tone polite but weary. The girls have been adjusting fairly well, although they do need to understand discipline, but Bobby... Well, he's been more interested in the kitten than lessons. I've barely seen him all day."

I sigh, taking Henry from his carer's arms and bouncing him gently. His cries are escalating, and I know it's time for a bottle. "Thank you for today. We all need some time. I'll talk to him."

She nods, offering a smile before leaving.

Henry's carer offers her goodbyes, and I thank her too.

I move into the sitting room, where the girls are flipping through books, but they look worn out. I quickly grab a bottle from the small fridge I had set up in the sitting room and heat it in the microwave oven next

to it.

It's a country mile to the kitchen and nobody has time for that trek with a crying baby. I settle down to

feed him.

"Daddy! Yay!" Abby rushes over for a half hug and kiss, avoiding bumping Henry.

"Hi Daddy," Sarah smiles. "I learned about Brussels today and I drew a picture."

"Wow, Sarah, that is a great picture. Did you like your teacher?"

Sarah nods. "She's nice."

Abby looks up, her big eyes serious. "The lady talks funny, I don't understand all the words."

I nod, giving her a comforting smile. "It'll get easier, sweetie. And you can always ask questions if you don't understand. And you can learn what the funny words mean."

"I miss school back home. The teachers there were more fun," Sarah says.

"I get it," I say, glancing around. "Where's Bobby?"

Abby pipes up, "He's outside. With the kitten again. He didn't do any lessons."

"Well, young lady, we shouldn't be telling tales, should we. Bobby is much older, and I'll sort it out with him. We're here to help each other, remember?"

"Yes, Daddy. Where's Mommy?"

"Mommy is working a little longer, she'll be home for dinner, okay?"

"Okay." Abby smiles.

I finish feeding Henry, patting his back gently until he lets out a tiny burp, then settle him into his pram.

351 Connection

Time to go out and see how Bobby is doing.

"Girls, I'm going to talk to Bobby, you okay in here?"

They both nod, engrossed in their coloring

I find Bobby outside, phone in hand, chatting animatedly. Must be a friend from back home. The kitten is curled up in his lap, looking more comfortable than any of us have since we got here. Bobby sees me coming and hangs up quickly, but I've already heard enough. "Bobby," I start, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. "Your tutor says you've been distracted all day. What's going on?" He shrugs, not looking up. "I just... I don't care about this Brussels stuff. It's boring."

I raise an eyebrow, stepping closer. "You need to focus, Bobby. I know this place is different, but you can't just ignore your lessons. What have you been doing all day?" I push Henry back and forth in the pram.

Bobby stays quiet for a moment, his fingers absently scratching behind the kitten's ear. "Talking to my friends," he admits finally, "Playing games. Looking for the cat's mom or more kittens."

"Did you find an owner?"

He shakes his head. "Everyone helped me look. They asked around anyone they knew. But there aren't really any close neighbors."

"That's true."

"Do I get to keep him now?"

I sigh, crouching down next to him. "Look, we need to talk. This move has been hard. It's not the same as back home, and I know you miss your friends. But you can't spend all day playing games and talking on the phone petting a kitten. You have responsibilities." Bobby looks up at me, his expression a mix of frustration and sadness. "It's just... it's boring here, Dad. I don't have any friends. I can't touch anything or do anything without someone telling me no."

"What can I do to help, Bobby? What would make this feel more like home for you?"

Bobby hesitates, then looks up at me, his eyes hopeful. "Can I go to a real school? Like, where I can make friends my own age?"

I'm taken aback for a moment, but I understand where he's coming from. "I think Mom was worried about the language and you being able to understand. That's why we set up tutors at first."

"I can learn some of the words. I already know how to say hello and goodbye, and some other things in Flemish. But aren't there schools that use English too?"

"I think you're probably right. I'll find out. Viktor will know."

I watch him as he strokes the kitten. "I notice you've been doing a good job with the kitten. But you need to focus on other things

still

He looks up at me again, this time with a different kind of determination. "Come with me to the cottage," he says suddenly.

I freeze. The cottage. Gus's place he had built for the family that never came. For me to grow up in. I've

361 ConnectionNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

been avoiding it ever since we arrived-too many emotions wrapped up in it.

I'm not ready to face what it means, what it represents