Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

369 The Green Wave

(Cass)

"Cass!" Ziggy's voice snaps me back to the present.

He's standing by the counter, eyebrow raised as he holds a tray of fresh-cut veggies toward me. "Earth to Cass. You gonna season these, or are you planning on serving 'em bland?"

I blink, fumbling as I grab the tray. "Right. Sorry, I was just... thinking."

He sighs, running his hand through his vibrant blue hair, "Cass, girl, I get it. Trust me. But you've been 'just thinking' all day. If you're gonna space out, at least pretend like you're here." "Yeah, ye

yeah, I know," I mutter, feeling my face flush under his watchful gaze. "I'm good."

Ziggy doesn't look convinced, though. He eyes me for a moment longer, then glances around to make sure no one's paying attention. "Do you, though? You're riding that 'green wave' again, obviously."

My gut tightens. I hate how he reads me so well. Ziggy's been around the block a few times, his arms a map of tattoos, each telling a story I'll probably never hear. He knows when I'm out of it, and he's always got something to say about it. "It's just a little pot," I shrug, trying to play it off like it's no big deal. "You know I'm still here, still getting things done."

Ziggy shakes his head, his voice laced with disappointment. "Getting things done... sure. But you're better than this, Cass. And don't think I haven't noticed you've been smoking more lately. Is it worth it? Does Winona know, what about Gabriel?" My anger flares. "Winona and Gabriel can mind their own business. Just like you."

"Don't push away everyone who cares. You're a smart cookie but you're acting awfully stupid right now. You know I'm right."

I swallow. "Look, it helps me unwind. This place is intense, you know that. The pressure here, the hours. It's just... it keeps me steady. Life's been hectic lately. The kidnapping, Winona and the kids leaving Gabriel and I breaking up."

He crosses his arms, eyes hardening. "Nah, you're using it as a crutch. And I'm telling you now, it's not gonna end well. Girl, you're being naive about yourself,

"Ziggy," I groan, rolling my eyes. "I don't need a lecture. I know what I'm doing."

"Do you?" He hands me a bag of spices, his tone softening, but there's no humor there now. "I'm not judging, Cass. I'm telling you to wake up before it gets worse. Look around."

He gestures to the kitchen, to our coworkers in all their individuality, people who live on the edge just like me, some of them barely holding on to the line between passion and self-destruction.

"You have a real talent for this, Cass. Chef knows it, any of them here do, but look at them. They are stuck on a hamster wheel. They have lost their ambition and drive to want more for themselves. Don't let that shit get you there." "Spoken like a true reformed addict," I say as I dress the vegetables.

3E9 The Green W

"Exactly. I'm out of here next month. I'm worried to leave you here like this. Cass, you need to get off the gear and come back to your senses."

And maybe I get what he's saying. But I'm not addicted like that. I'm better than that.

"Look, I'm handling it, okay?" I tell him, voice sharper than I intend. "I've got a lot going on, and it helps. That's all."

"Right." he says, voice firm. "You're talented, Cass. You've got a real future with your dishes, if you don't mess it up."

"Yeah, yeah," I mutter, pretending not to care as I toss herbs into a pan with a little more force than necessary. But his words linger, even as I try to shake them off.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

I'm a

good at this - the cooking, the plating, the rush of getting orders out, one after the other, as fast as 1 can. I love the thrill of it, the way I can create something from scratch that people actually enjoy. And maybe, just maybe, Ziggy's right. Maybe the pot is starting to get in the way

The kidnapping, the fear that still haunts me. The van crash, Winona keeping us safe. But then her suspicion of Gabriel. I stood up for him. He had no idea what happened. And now Gabriel and I barely speak.

I miss him, but every time I think about reaching out, something stops me. I don't know if it's pride, or fear, or the mess of everything in between. I just want to make this right. To prove them all wrong and show them I am fine alone. I don't need anyone.

Ziggy taps my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts once again. "Cass, you're zoning out again. Go home. Seriously. Take a break. Figure your crap out."

"Yeah, like Chef is going to let me go home."

"He will if you have someone to cover for you."

"Let me guess, you?"

"I have Cella covering my front of house shift. It'll be fine."

"Maybe you just want my job," I accuse.

"I'm the one who actually gives a fuck about you. Don't come for me."

"Fine," I say, stripping off my apron and tossing it onto the counter. "I'll go."

Ziggy watches me, his eyes softening just a bit. "Cass, you've got people who care about you here. Don't blow it. Literally. The green don't care about you. Just fools you into not caring about yourself."

As I head out of the café, the cool evening air hits me, a stark contrast to the heat of the kitchen. I pull out my phone, tempted to message Gabriel. But my fingers hover over his name before I close the app and shove it back in my pocket. My tiny apartment is just up the road. It was fun going home to Mia. Now she's in the lap of luxury with Judy Brennan.

213

360 The Green Ways

It stings more than I'd like to admit, watching her get drawn in by all that flash. She's so naive, thinking Judy's actually got her back. Judy doesn't have anyone's back except her own. That much I do know.

I pull my phone out again. I wonder what time it is in Brussels? No, Winona will just say I told you so and try to fix me. I pocket my phone again. Fuck everyone.

I can make my own decisions. As soon as I finish this last lot of pot at home, I'm stopping.

No point wasting it.

370 Doubt Around Every