327 Collect Call

(Winona)

It’s just after 10 p.m., and the penthouse is still when I get home. The kids are asleep, the lights of the city outside flickering through the tinted windows.

I’ve been trying to reach Jayden again, but the call goes straight to voicemail. I know it’s the middle of the night over there, but still—it’s not like him to ignore my calls, and the insecurity of being left in the dark creeps in.

I toss my phone onto the sofa with a frustrated sigh and head toward the kitchen. Anne is perched on one of the stools, cradling a mug of tea. I collapse onto the one across from her, rubbing my temples.

“Fun night?”

“Sure was. I can’t wait for bed though. How did the kids settle?”

“All good. Henry has just been awake, so you should get a couple of hours.”

“I’m not sure if I want the doctor to find a reason why he’s restless or if it's just because I suck at this.”

“You don’t suck at it.”

“Sure feels that way with Jayden gone. I still haven’t told him about the delay.”

“Still no answer?” An