480 Finding Ground

(Winona)

The house is more charming than I expected-stonework covered in ivy, a wraparound porch, and large windows that bathe the interior in natural light.

It feels warm and lived-in, unlike the two more modern places we've seen. The kids are darting through the unkempt yard, Bobby and Sarah racing each other toward a large and fairly new shed, while Abby lags behind, looking at a large pond. "Not too close to the edge, sweetie." I call out and she smiles and nods back at me.

Henry clings to my leg, his little legs unsteady on the uneven ground. I scoop him up and put him in his pusher Jayden has unfolded.

Jayden wanders a few steps away, hands on his hips, surveying the property with a critical eye. "The house is more move-in ready than the others," he admits. "But it needs a lot of work."

"I agree. But it just has a good feeling," I say. "And the pond's a bonus, but it'll need fencing off somehow. Henry's too curious for his own good."

Jayden nods, but I can tell his mind is elsewhere. "How big is the attic?"

"It's a good size," I reply. "Full of stuff leftover from the estate sale, according to the listing. The kids already have their eyes on it, but no one's going up there until I know it's safe. And we're checking everything to make sure it's not hiding a priceless artifact we can't replace." Jayden nods. "Like the estate."

"Exactly."

The kids' laughter rings out from the yard, a stark contrast to the tension pulsing between us. Jayden chose not to be a part of Lance's will reading. I mean, he didn't need to be there other than as support for Lisa and I. And maybe to help himself come to terms with Lance's choices.

But I'm done arguing over things we can't change, so I'm trying to stick with more positive aspects of my life. Choosing our future home is immediate. The penthouse has been okay again but the dynamic for Jayden and I have been... difficult, to say the least. The kids need some space. I need some space.

the silence. "What do you think about

the last two but more acreage. And it's the closest to the city, but it feels like we

and we are at Abby's school. It will take a lot more to bring it

cargo right now and not

weeks in the craziest of circumstances, a little home reno

this impossible pregnancy. Still following everything Klara instructed, and I

wise with young kids? The last one had a more

it up to

not just mine, isn't it? You need to love

running a hand through his hair. "It's fine. I just-there's a lot going

fold my arms. "I know. But this is our future, Jayden. Or are you saying we don't have a

says, his voice rising. "It's hard to focus on houses when everything feels...

shift in tone and looks up at me, wide-eyed. I offer him a banana from his snack bag. "Off?

this new life like nothing

not fair," I snap. "I'm trying to move forward because that's what we

me at Nexus Global?" he asks, his tone sharper now. "We had a plan, Winona. Or

this is about,"

yes, I want

Noved working with

is my chance to build something of my own again. Without your mother torturing

lucky for you your friend Lance did you such a

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255