410 Taking Control

(Winona)

The room is suffocating, even though Klara has opened the windows to let in the evening air. I’m lying on the bed, trying to keep my breathing even. My blood pressure has come down, but Klara’s concern hasn’t.

She sits beside me, her hand resting on mine, grounding me. The soft hum of conversation between Lisa and Lance fills the other room, but I’m barely hearing them.

Lance and Lisa come into the bedroom, looking just as exhausted as I feel.

Lance still has dried blood on his shirt, and his bruised face is swollen.

“I’m going to London,” he says, his tone rough but resolute.

Lisa stares at him. “You can’t be serious. Look at you! You’re in no shape to travel, let alone deal with Jayden. Have you even seen your face?”

“I have to,” he insists, his eyes blazing with determination. “Jayden’s my friend—at least he used to be. I have to try and fix this before it’s too late. Before he does something even more destructive.”

The determination in his voice stirs something inside me,