26. Chapter 25
J enna
Jenna sat at Sasha's dining table, papers spread out in front of her, a cold cup of tea forgotten beside her. The house still smelled like Sasha-lavender and old books-but the presence that had once made it feel warm was gone. Now, it was just Jenna and the weight of responsibility.
The social worker, Helen Marsh, arrived promptly at ten. A middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a no-nonsense attitude, she shook Jenna's hand firmly before taking a seat. "I appreciate you meeting with me on such short notice," Helen said. "I know this is an incredibly difficult time."
Jenna nodded. "I just want to do what's best for Dani and Dylan. They're terrified of being separated."
Helen offered a small, reassuring smile. "That won't happen since you have agreed to step in. Of course, there are checks to be done and paperwork. Sasha had begun the process of legally adopting them before the accident."
Jenna felt like the air had been knocked out of her. "She-she was going to adopt them?" She had known how much Sasha loved those kids, but this... this was something bigger.
Helen nodded. "Yes. She didn't get to finalize it, but it tells us something important: she intended for them to have stability, a forever home. Now, we need to decide what comes next. "
Jenna rubbed her temples. "I want to take care of them. I promised them they wouldn't be split up. I just... I need to figure out how to make it work."
Helen's expression softened. "That's very commendable. Given your relationship with Sasha, and the fact that the children trust you, I believe the courts will be receptive. I'll help you navigate the legal steps. But I won't lie-it'll take time."
Jenna swallowed hard but nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes."
After Helen left, Jenna sat in silence for a long moment before steeling herself. The kids needed to know.
She found them in the living room, Dani curled up on the couch, Dylan pacing anxiously. Their heads snapped up when Jenna walked in.
"What did she say?" Dylan asked immediately, his voice tight.
Jenna took a breath and sat down beside Dani, motioning for Dylan to do the same. "She told me something important. Something I didn't know before." She hesitated, then forced the words out. "Sasha was planning to adopt you both."
Dani's face crumpled, fresh tears sliding down her cheeks. Dylan, however, shot to his feet, his body tense. "Then why didn't she tell us? She was just going to do it without saying anything?"
Jenna reached for him, but he stepped back. "She wanted to make sure it was all set before she told you," Jenna said gently. "She wanted you to feel safe."
Dylan shook his head. "That's not fair! She was supposed to be here! She was supposed to-" His voice cracked, and he turned away, breathing heavily.
Dani sniffed. "So, what happens now? "
Jenna squeezed her hand. "I told Helen I want to take care of you. I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen."
Dani nodded, but Dylan didn't say anything. He just sat on the arm of the couch, his back to them.
Jenna's phone had been vibrating on and off all morning, messages from Troy piling up. She hadn't had the energy to deal with it until now.
She scrolled through them:
Troy: Why the hell haven't you answered me? Troy: Are you serious? You just vanish?
Troy: Where are you?
Troy: Jesus Christ,Jenna, Answer me! Troy: I'm worried. Just text me back. Troy: I swear to God, if I don't hear from you soon, I'm calling the police. Troy: Jenna, please call me. I just need to know you are okay.
The last message hit different. She sighed and quickly typed out a reply.
Jenna: I'm in Chester. Sasha passed away.
She sighed and quickly typed out a reply, briefly explaining everything. It took less than a minute for the phone to ring. She hesitated, then answered. "Troy."
"Jenna, Jesus." His voice was a mixture of anger and relief. "Why didn't you answer? I thought- I didn't know what to think."
"I've been handling things," she said simply. "I had to take care of the kids."
He exhaled sharply. "God, Jenna. I'm so sorry. I-do you need me to come there? "
She closed her eyes, surprised by the offer. "No. I just... I needed to figure some things out. I'll be back in Brighton soon."
"You shouldn't have to do this alone," Troy said, quieter now.
She hesitated. "No, I shouldn't have. I have to go. I need to call Lilly and let her know. "
A beat of silence. They talked for five more minutes before Jenna had to go.
"Thank you for calling," Jenna murmured before hanging up.
Calling Lilly was easier, but still painful. Her daughter was stunned into silence before murmuring, "You just-take care of yourself, Mum. Do you need me to come and get you?"
Muttering a negative, Jenna hung up and took a deep breath.
That evening, as Dani and Dylan slept in their rooms upstairs, Jenna sat in the dimly lit living room, surrounded by paperwork and Sasha's things still scattered about.
The house didn't feel like hers-nothing about it felt settled.
She had no studio here, no space to retreat to, just a cluttered dining table and the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her.
She rubbed her bleary eyes, her lashes still crusted from earlier tears, and stared at a blank page in the notebook in front of her.
The grief swirled inside her, but instead of pushing it away, she let it flow.
Slowly, she began to sketch, her hands moving almost of their own accord.
The lines formed a picture of Sasha from memory, laughing as she had in their youth, her eyes bright with mischief.
The memory brought a bittersweet smile to Jenna's face.
Sasha had been more than a friend-she had been a sister, a lifeline, a constant in a world that had often felt unpredictable and cruel.
Losing her was like losing a part of herself, but Jenna knew she had to carry on. For Sasha. For Dani and Dylan.