Book For Read
437 Late Night Comms
437 Late Night Comms (Winona)
Later that night, I curl up in bed, one eye on the baby monitor and the other on my phone. My laptop sits beside me, tabs open with properties and travel options, but I can't focus.All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.
My thoughts are a tangled mess, and texting Jayden is the only way to untangle them.
I feel like it's safe. Staff don't stay here at the cottage overnight.
We'd agreed to debrief each other every evening. No matter what. It will help me keep my ducks in a row, or at least in some form of organized panic.
I need this ultrasound fast, so we can get out of here and let Jayden and Viktor do their thing. I type him a
message.
W: Hey. Got a sec?
It doesn't take long before the little dots appear.
JAlways. What's up?
W: Dr said I need an ultrasound ASAP. Big Q is... how tf do we make it happen w/o her finding out?
J: We'll figure it out. I'll make it happen.
So simple, like it's nothing. I know it's not nothing. But I do believe he will manage it. Lately he is doing exactly what he says he'll do.
I mean I guess he always has, but he's different now. His decisions are his decisions, nor suggested or orchestrated by anyone else. Jayden knows who he is and what he wants. That much is clear. I need to have that self-assurance as well.
W: You say that like it's easy. She probs has spies watching the damn parking lots.
J: Let her watch. I'll set it up where she can't see a thing. Trust me..
Trust him. I want to-no, I do trust. But Judy... Judy terrifies me in a way I can't put into words. She always has. This is all about me standing up to her.
Standing up to her and taking her out of our lives forever It will be so worth it. But it's a fine line we ar
walking. Jayden has to be completely convincing.
W: If she finds out about the baby, Jayden...
J: She won't. I've got this.
I stare at his message, the reassurance in those three words. He sounds so certain, but the stakes are so high. She won't hesitate to try and make me lose this baby. Or worse, try and get the baby off me. That is never happening. The sooner we get this evidence the better. This can't go on for long. I worry about Jayden's mental health if it does.
W: Ugh. Ok. But I'm scared. She's a pro at messing w ppl's lives. Our lives
+
487 Late Night Commis
J: Not this time. I'm keeping her focused on me. She's not even thinking about you in
My stomach twists.
W: You talked to her?
J: Yeah. Sent her a msg. She'll contact soon
WI hate this.
J: Me too. But it's the only way to protect u
The thought of him having to pretend with her, play along with her manipulations-it makes my skin crawl.
W: I'm sry u have to deal w her.
J: Don't be. I'm doing this for us.
I let out a breath. He's doing everything he can, and I have to trust him.
W: Ok/Pending the scan goes well, I'll fly. Cruise isn't practical once we hit FL.
JAgreed. Faster and less stress overall.
W: I found some nice places online. Just out of the city, some land, little fixer-uppers. Kids can keep their schools.
J: Send me the links.
I smile a little at his quick reply. Even with everything going on, he's still in this with me, still cares about the
little details.
W: Will do. Talked to Anne today. She's ready to help.
J: And Cass?
The mention of her name makes me tense. Is she okay?
W: No clue. Can't reach her. Phone's dead or smthg. Can u send someone to check?
J: Sure.
J: Focus on u + the kids.
W: I will. Thx.
I hesitate before typing my next message, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. It's something we need to address, but the timing feels all wrong.
W: One thing... we agree not to talk abt hall pass week mess until after Judy's dealt with?
The dots appear, then disappear. They come back, then disappear again. This is killing me.
Finally, his reply pops up.
J: Yeah. Let's shelve it for now.
437 Late Mi
W Cool One crisis at a time
1. Exactly Get some rest
W I will U 100
I set my phone down, leaning back into the pillows The exhaustion settles in, but my mind won't let me relax. I can't stop thinking about the ultrasound, about hearing the baby's heartheat and how it'll make everything so real. Real and terrifying.
If Judy finds out... No. I push the thought away I can't let her take this from us, not this time
I pop on my headset and play the relaxation downloads Klara sent me.
No more Judy. No more stress.
I think about the baby. None of that was Judy's doing. My choices put me in this spot I know that's
what my reasoning at the time, it was a wrong choice to involve Phillip and Lance
Especially Lance. Nothing could have hurt Jayden more I should have laughed him off. I should have
But I didn't, for my own selfish reasoning.
Now I have to face that fallout when the time comes, and I will.