(Winona)The judge calls for a two-hour recess to speak privately with Abby and consider all the arguments and information.It’s only then I realize Abby is present in the courthouse somewhere. My heart skips a beat at the thought of her being here, so close yet so far from me. I hope she is okay. I’m sure Anne is with her.The bailiff escorts me out of the courtroom, and I’m allowed a brief toilet break. I head to the restroom, my mind swirling with anxiety and hope.I push open the heavy restroom door, the cool air hitting my face. I splash some water on my face, trying to compose myself. As I stand there, staring at my reflection in the mirror, the door swings open, and in walks Ashlyn, her eyes locked on mine.“Well, well, well, look who we have here,” she sneers, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “The desperate mother.”I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “You aren’t supposed to be near me or discussing the case.”She shrugs. “Who cares?”She steps closer, her smile twisted
(Winona)“After careful consideration of all the arguments and evidence presented, and after speaking privately with the child involved, I have come to a decision,” Judge Harper announces, her voice steady and clear.“Given Abby’s health and the compelling arguments for her need to be in a stable environment by her doctor, I am granting temporary custody to Winona Nolan.”A gasp echoes through the courtroom, and a rush of relief washes over me, almost making me dizzy. Did I just hear that correctly?The judge continues, “this arrangement is conditional. If Abby’s test results improve as a result of being in her mother’s care, I will consider this evidence of a positive impact, and she will remain with Winona until her operation. We will continue to monitor her progress closely.”The judge’s gaze sweeps over the room, pausing momentarily on Jayden before returning to me. “Furthermore, a stay of hearing in this case is granted until after Abby’s operation. This will allow us to focus on
(Jayden)The morning after the custody hearing, I woke up with a pounding headache. Sleep was almost impossible. Ashlyn being beside me makes me nervous. I came into the office early to try and clear my head. Now I’m hoping this black coffee will help.The judge’s decision is still fresh in my mind, and although I understand that Abby being with Winona is probably best for her, the thought of Phillip being back in the picture fills me with rage. Winona is my world, and now I can't even talk to her because of Ashlyn. I need to find a way to fix this, to be with Winona again.My lawyer, Daniel Richards, walks into my office, a grim look on his face. “Jayden, we need to talk.”My secretary must be on the job already. Good, we have a lot of work to do with Brennan Industries. But more crap news is not what I need. Anger is bubbling just below the surface. “What now?”Daniel nods, taking a seat across from me. “Ashlyn approached Winona in the bathroom at the courthouse yesterday. She tol
(Jayden)I clench my fists. Now I just have one other problem to deal with. Winona and Phillip saying they’re engaged again. Lance sticks his head in the office. He’s my CFO again. He’s the best, and I know I can trust him with the job.“You busy?”I throw my hands up in the air, frustration bubbling over. “Not with work stuff but come in anyway.”“Winona? Ashlyn?” he asks, concern etched on his face.“It’s a damn mess. In court yesterday, who should be there being all fucking loved up with Winona?”“Phillip?” His eyebrows shoot up in surprise.I nod, gritting my teeth.“Maybe it’s just for show,” he offers, trying to sound hopeful.“Not for Phillip. He’s a man in love. I can tell. Winona looked comfortable in his arms.”“Damn,” Lance mutters, shaking his head.“I was very harsh with Winona when I told her I believed Ashlyn. I had to be. But that’s proving harder than I thought it would be. I’m fearing for my own life every night,” I say, my voice trembling with barely contained ange
(Ashlyn)Pathetic, they are all pathetic. As if I’d be stupid enough to fall for their tricks. I’m not confessing to anything I said to Winona in that park. She pushed me. She wanted to kill my baby, Jayden’s baby. Her jealousy of me consumes her.Jayden is mine now, and I’m not letting him go. I don’t care that his brat is out of my home. Saves me the trouble of getting rid of her. If she ever comes back, I’ll do just that. Phillip is back. He’s just as pathetic.Mooning around after Winona like Jayden used to. Winona never deserved Jayden. I was born to be with him. My family raised me to be his wife. No one is going to take that away from me.I finish my makeup, the ritual calming me, and go out to face the rest of the day. Judy may think she has me fooled, but I know she’s here to ‘protect’ Jayden. She’s just as stupid as the rest of them, underestimating me. I’ve played her for years. Now it’s just getting interesting.I walk out into the living area, forcing a smile on my face.
(Ashlyn)The words are a cold slap, a reminder of the precariousness of my position. “He loves me,” I insist, my voice shaking slightly, betraying the fear that Judy’s presence instills in me.“I’m sure,” she replies, her sarcasm cutting deep.“He does!” My voice cracks, the pressure mounting, the walls closing in.“He’s said a lot of things lately, but loving you isn’t one of them,” she counters, her voice a calm contrast to my increasing desperation.The balance of power has shifted, and I feel it with every fiber of my being. Judy, with her strategic silences and her measured threats, has reshaped the battlefield. She’s just shown me how easily she can pull the strings.I eye Judy carefully, my gaze sharpening as I attempt to assert control over the conversation. “Jayden and I will stay together,” I state firmly, trying to convince both Judy and myself of my words.“He can’t bear to let you touch him. He knows the truth about what you did,” Judy retorts with a steely calm that unne
(Judy)I stand by the bed, looking down at Ashlyn's still form, her breathing shallow under the influence of my carefully administered concoction. I wonder how long it will be before she realizes I tampered with her breath freshener spray. The stupid woman is obsessed with that stuff first thing in the mornings.Just enough to send her to sleep for a few hours. The room is silent except for the soft, rhythmic whisper of her breath. I pull out my phone as it vibrates gently in my pocket—it's Jayden. Perfect timing."Hello, Jayden," I answer, my voice a perfect blend of warmth and maternal concern."Hey, Mother. Just checking in. You all settled in?" His voice is casual, unsuspecting of the drama unfolding under his roof."Yes, everything's fine.”“Ashlyn texted me earlier. I hope she didn’t give you any trouble.”“Ashlyn's taking a nap. I think the whole ordeal lately has worn her out," I reply, glancing at Ashlyn to ensure she hasn't stirred."Okay. I’ll be late home, so you two eat d
(Jayden)“Jayden, are you okay?” Dr. Helen Winters, my hypnotherapist, asks with a hint of concern just before our next session. Her office, with its soft lighting and serene atmosphere, has become a place of revelation and reflection for me over the past months.I nod, more to reassure myself than her. “I’m ready. I want to get back into life. I’m done not being sure.” My voice is steady, the resolve clear in my tone. Unresolved memories have been a heavy burden, one I’m prepared to shed today.She gives me a nod of understanding, clearly recognizing the significance of this moment for me. “Well, we sure can try. Ultimately, it’s going to be up to your mind if it’s ready to reveal what’s been tucked away.”“If anything.”“That’s true. There simply may be nothing else to remember.”“I’ve had a lot of dreams lately, about Winona and how we were.” The dreams, vivid and emotional, seem more like fragments of memories trying to break through the surface. “I’m done letting this rule my l