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420 Building Bridges
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420 Building Bridges
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."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
"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 shot. I can't keep living like this, knowing Judy is lurking, ready to strike. We need to finish this once and for all. For us and for the kids."
Her gaze softens, and she lets out a small sigh. "I know. And if working together is what it takes, then we'll do it." Her determination sends a wave of hope through me.
This is the Winona I fell in love with, the one who fights for what matters most.
My mind races with the plan forming. "I'll bring everything I have on her," I say. "Viktor is ready to dig deeper, and I think we can convince Gus to help us too. He knows Judy better than anyone. We'll get the proof we need." Winona's eyes narrow thoughtfully. "Gus loves Judy, if he was going to bring her down, he'd have done it by now."
"She may have a lot of friends but she's sure made some enemies. I bet I'll find them." I assure her. "We can't let her keep poisoning our lives. I'll go back to the USA with you if that's what you want."
"I'm not sure I want that."
"I'm willing to walk away from Nexus Global if it means protecting you and the kids. I'll step down, sell it all, whatever it takes."
Winona's mouth tightens into a line, and she shakes her head. "No, Jayden. We're not running away again. Besides, you've put too much into changing that company for the better. Making it a place where family and work can coexist. The world needs to see that example."
Her words surprise me, and I stare at her, trying to read her expression. "You really believe that?" I ask, my voice hesitant.
"Yes," she says, her eyes fierce. "I've seen how hard you've worked to implement those policies. Childcare, personal leave, flexibility for parents... it's revolutionary."
"I agree, but only because you've helped me see that for us."
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420 Building Bridges
"But it's not just for us. It's for all the people working under you, who need to know it's okay to be human, to have families, to care for each other. That change is bigger than us."
Her conviction makes my heart swell, but it also makes me realize just how much I need her. "I can't do it without you, Winona," I confess.
"What are you saying?"
"I need you there with me, running it together. You're the one who showed me it's possible to balance family and ambition. We can be a shining example of how it's done."
She looks taken aback, but there's a spark of something-hope, maybe-in her eyes. "Me? Running Nexus Global with you?" she asks, almost as if she can't believe what I'm saying.
"Yes," I say, leaning forward, my voice urgent. "You know as well as I do that this vision won't work unless it comes from both of us. We make the rules. We set the tone. Together, we can make Nexus into the company we've always dreamed of-a place that values people over profits." Winona bites her lip, but she nods slowly. "If we do this, it has to be for real," she says. "No half-measures, no backing out when things get tough."
"I'm all in," I say, and I mean it. "I've never been more certain about anything. We'll take down Judy, and then we'll build something incredible together. If that's what you still want. No pressure. We can navigate that when the time comes."
She studies me for a long moment, and I can see the wheels turning. "We'll need to be strategic," she says. "If we're going to pretend to be apart, we'll have to sell it to everyone. Make it convincing."
I nod. "We'll fake it until we make it, like you said. But in private, we'll keep working on us. We'll revisit what we learned with Barnaby, call him if we have to. We won't give up."
Her lips curve into a small, hesitant smile. "Okay," she says. "I'm willing to try. No more lies from me, Jayden. We have to be brutally honest, even when it hurts."
"Deal," I say, my chest tightening with both hope and fear.
The screen flickers, and for a moment, it feels like the distance between us isn't so vast. We're bruised, yes, but we're still standing. Still fighting for us.
"See you soon," she says, her voice breaking slightly.
"Yeah," I reply, my own voice unsteady. "See you soon.