370 Doubt Around Every Corner

(Winona)

It’s a gorgeous day. If I let myself forget last night’s revelation, it feels like I’m adjusting to life abroad, kids in lessons, baby asleep, husband at work.

I lean into the warmth of that thought for a moment. Despite the uprooting, the shift to Brussels has been more promising than I expected. The kids are settling in, and Jayden…he’s been nothing short of amazing, shouldering so much.

But then there’s the shadow. The kind that feels invisible, but close. Judy.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that she will never fully leave us alone. I’ve seen the way she pulls strings from afar, somehow finding her way into the cracks of our lives.

Jayden might think that his distance has finally given us peace, but I know better. I can’t let my guard down, especially now.

I shake off the thought, trying to focus on the good. The cottage, for one, has been a real gift. It’s perfect for us, more intimate and homier than the grand halls of Gus’s estate.

It’s clear Ja