186 Desperate Bargain (Ashlyn)

I watch Winona's eyes, searching for any sign that she might believe me. But all I see is doubt, suspicion, and hate. She's not going to make this easy, I know that. But I have to try. This is my last chance, my only chance, to do something right in this messed-up life I've created.

To help this baby I've created. If I adopt the baby to just anyone, Judy will find it. I know she will. If I leave the baby solely to Jayden, Judy will make sure she takes over again.

The only choice I have is to get Winona to agree to adopt my baby as her own and promise me, if things don't work out with Jayden, she will fight to keep my baby with her.

I guess I have no real guarantee that will happen, but I know Winona and if she makes a promise she always tries to keep it. Especially as a mother.

"I need you to believe me," I say, my voice cracking slightly. I hate how weak I sound, but it's the truth. I am weak right now, weaker than I've ever been.

Winona's expression doesn't change. She just crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes me. "Tell me again why should I believe anything you say?"

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I swallow hard, trying to push down the panic rising in my throat. She's right not to trust me. I wouldn't trust me if I were her. But I need her to see that this isn't just about me. It's about the baby growing inside

1. me.

"Because I'm not lying about this," I say, forcing the words out. "I know I've lied before, manipulated everyone, but this... This is different. I need you to trust me on this. We're running out of time."

Jayden is silent beside her, his face a mask of stone. He's not going to be the one to convince Winona. I know that. It's her I need to reach, her I need to convince.

"Ashlyn, I think you're playing some sort of game. I won't be back here ever. How did you even get to use a phone in here?"

"Your mother made sure I have one. We talk on the phone often. We text. I'll hand that phone to you, Jayden. You'll have all the proof you need about how fixated she is on you and Abby. She'll never let it

rest."

Winona's blinks. She knows what I'm saying is true. I latch onto it, desperate to keep her engaged, to make her see how serious I am.

"Winona, I'm asking you to adopt my baby," I say, my voice trembling. "Not just as a temporary solution, but for life. Even if you and Jayden don't make it as a couple, I need to know that you'll still raise the child. That my baby won't end up in Judy's hands."

I need her to understand that this is bigger than the two of us. It's about protecting this child from the nightmare that is Judy Brennan.Têxt belongs to .

"Why do you think I'd do that?" Winona asks, her tone cold. "Why should I take on that responsibility? You think you can just hand off your problems to me and wash your hands of it?"

"No," I say quickly, shaking my head. "It's not like that. I'm not trying to escape responsibility. I know I'm in

186 Desperate Banjain

no position to raise a child, not in here, not with everything I've done. But you-you could give my baby a real chance. A life away from Judy. A life away from me." Winona's eyes narrow further, and I can see she's thinking, processing what I'm saying. But I know I need to go further, to make her understand the stakes.

"Judy has a hold on Jayden," I continue, my voice gaining strength. "No matter what he says now, no matter how much he claims he's done with her, she'll always have that influence over him."

Neither of them say anything so I continue, "she's his mother, Winona. That bond is stronger than you think. I've seen it. I've felt it. She can manipulate him in ways you can't imagine

Jayden flinches at that, but he doesn't argue. Maybe deep down, he knows it's true. Judy's influence is a shadow that looms over everything he does, whether he realizes it or not.

Winona shifts in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction this conversation is taking. But she doesn't back down. "And you think I'm the solution? That I can somehow shield this child from Judy?"

"Yes," I say, my voice firm. "You're strong, Winona. You've proven that over and over. You've stood up to Judy, to everyone who tried to bring you down. You're the only one I trust to protect my baby. Please, I'm begging you. I don't know what I'll do if you don't say yes."

She stares at me. I know I'm asking for the impossible, I know I don't deserve her help. But this isn't about me anymore. It's about the life growing inside me, the life I never thought I'd care about but now can't stop thinking about.

"Let me get this straight," Winona says slowly. "You're asking me to adopt your baby, to raise it as my own, even if Jayden and I don't make it as a couple. And you want a guarantee before you even prove that you're actually pregnant?" I nod, my heart pounding. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm asking."

She leans back in her chair, her gaze piercing. "And what happens if I say no? What then, Ashlyn?"

I swallow hard, knowing I'm cornered. "I don't know. I'm telling you, Winona, if Judy gets her hands on this child, she'll make it into a carbon copy of her. Just like she tried with Jayden before you came along. Please, don't let that happen." Finally, she speaks, her voice measured. "You show me proof, real proof, that you're pregnant. But I'll only sign a lock tight agreement that I have drawn up."

"I can't use the doctors in here. I can't let Judy know I'm pregnant and she pays half the staff off. You have to get me tested by an outside doctor. I'll be showing too much soon. This strapping won't work. Please?"

Then the guard steps back into the room.

Winona stands up, and Jayden follows sult. They're leaving.

"Ashlyn, I'm not listening to any more of your rambling. You will be hearing from my lawyer. Very soon."

I look at her and I see something in her eyes that tells me this might be okay.

Now all I can do is wait. Wait and hope that Winona will be the person I need her to be.

The person my baby needs her to be.

187 The Edge