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238 Crashing and Burning (Winona)
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| watch from across the room as Cass and Gabriel saunter away, and my stomach knots up in frustration. | don't
even have to see them sit down to know where they're headed. Judy's table. Of course.
It's the one place they can be where | won't go near. It feels calculated, like Judy's pulling strings again,
positioning herself as the puppet master.
| let out my breath, my gaze narrowing as I try to piece together how it's cto this. Cass was supposed to be
on my side. She was supposed to be part of my family.
Now, here she is, sitting with Judy, the woman who tried to destroy my life so many times.
The woman who succeeded in doing that for so long.
"Don't let her get to you," Lisa says softly, sipping her champagne. She's trying to sound calm, but | can see the
annoyance flicker in her eyes. "Judy thrives on this. You know that."
"I know," | reply, my voice tight. "But it's hard when she's using Cass as a pawn in whatever gplaying now."
she's
Lisa nods, clearly understanding but knowing there's nothing to be done at this moment. "T'll give you two some
space," she says after a moment, standing up and flashing a smile at Jayden as he makes his way back to the
table. "Thanks, Lisa," | appreciate her knowing when | need a moment with Jayden. Tonight has been a whirlwind,
and I'm barely keeping it together.
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Jayden slides into his seat next to me, loosening his tie. He's fresh off the stage, and the energy in the room is
still buzzing from his speech. The standing ovation was well deserved, I'm very proud of him.
"Well, that went better than expected," he says, leaning back in his chair. "How are you holding up?"
"Not great," | admit, glancing in the direction of Judy's table where Cass and Gabriel have settled in like it's the
most natural thing in the world. | drop my gaze. "I need to tell you something."
Jayden's brow furrows as he leans in. "What's wrong?"
"I had a fight with Cass," | say. "A bad one."
He tenses, his eyes narrowing. "What happened?"
I sigh, rubbing my temples, trying to push away the frustration. "It started with Gabriel. | told her he's too old for
her and that he may not even be able to stay in the country. And then | said Mia is a bad influence, and she
completely lost it." Jayden frowns, running a hand through his hair. "Winona..."
"I know what you're going to say." | cut him off, my voice sharp. "That I'm pushing her away. That I'm being
overprotective. She's not the sCass anymore. | can't just stand by and watch her throw everything away."
Jayden lets out a long breath, shaking his head. "You need to let her make her own choices, even if
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they're mistakes. You're only going to push her away if you keep trying to control her. She's an adult by law now.
She'll figure it out."
"She's already pulled out of the wedding," I say bitterly, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. "She toldto
find someone else for the bridal party."
Jayden's face softens, and he reaches out to take my hand, his touch grounding me. "I'm sorry. | know that hurts,
but this isn't about the wedding, Winona. This is about family. Cass is still your sister. The kids love her, and you
know it. You can't let this rift get too deep." | feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but | blink them away.
"So what do | do? Just stand by and watch as Gabriel pulls her away from us?"
Jayden shakes his head. "No. You let her live her life. If she crashes and burns, you'll be there to help her pick up
the pieces. But if you keep pushing, she's going to run away forever and we don't want that."
| take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. He's right. He's always right. But it doesn't make it any
easier. "It just feels like I'm losing her, Jayden."
"You won't," he says firmly, squeezing my hand. "Cass loves you. She's angry now, but she'll caround. Just
give her time."
1 nod, not trusting myself to speak. The last thing | want is to lose Cass, but | know Jayden's right. Pushing her
will only drive her further away.
And with Judy lurking in the background, | can't afford to make the wrong move.
Jayden leans in closer, his voice soft but filled with determination. "You need to mend things with Cass. For the
kids' sake, for your sake. She's family, and it's not worth losing those ties over this."
'l close my eyes, letting his words sink in. He's right. | can't let my fears and frustrations drive a wedge between
sister.
No matter what Gabriel's agenda is-because I'm certain he has one-I have to be there for Cass. Even if it means
letting her make her own mistakes.
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"You're right," | whisper, finally looking up at him. "But I'm so scared, Jayden. | don't trust Gabriel, and | know
he's up to something. | can feel it."
Jayden givesa small, understanding smile. "I know you don't trust him. | don't either. Just... let Cass cto
you when she's ready about him. Don't force it. In the meantime, go see her at work and apologize." 1 nod,
wiping away the single tear that escaped. "Okay, I'll try."
Jayden smiles softly, leaning in to press a kiss to my forehead. Lisa is back and she sits down.
As the waiters start serving dinner, | glance back at Judy's table, where Cass is laughing at something Gabriel
said.
My chest tightens with a mix of anger and worry, but | know Jayden's right. | have to let go, just enough to keep
her close.
But that doesn't mean I'll stop keeping an eye on Gabriel.
It occurs tothat maybe Gus is dating Maria to try and find out more about them.
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I think I'll give him a call soon.
But for the rest of the night, I'm going to enjoy and celebrate Jayden for his big night. This is for baby Henry and
all the others.
The families that need the equipment, that need a family place to stay when their kids are gravely ill.
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