420 Building Bridges

(Jayden)

I exhale slowly, the relief settling in as Winona agrees to meet. Even through the screen, the strength in her voice grounds me, and for a moment, it feels like we’re at least in the same book.

“Klara’s place, then,” I confirm. “I’ll work out the logistics with Viktor, and we’ll make sure no one from the estate knows.”

Winona nods, but I catch the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. It’s not just about Judy or the logistics of hiding our plans. There’s still so much hurt between us, so much we have to navigate.

“I hate that it’s come to this,” she admits, her voice soft. “Playing games to outsmart your mother… it feels exhausting. And there’s still no guarantee we’ll be okay at the end of it.”

“But, whatever happens with us, we know we can move the kids forward safely, without Judy, and that we will always put them first, even if we’re apart.”

“I feel like it’s a dangerous game we’re playing with your mother.”

“It is,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “But it’s our best