Helena was 30 when Wilson was conceived. She was devoted to Winnie while she was pregnant, but as soon as the baby was born she started distancing herself and having extramarital affairs. Winnie tolerated the indiscretions as she tried to keep the family together to make a home for their son. Although the marriage was a farce Winnie still had her dream for more children so they adopted Jung Yin when Wilson was two. The only good thing that came out of being married to Helena was Peggy Peabody. Grandma Peggy adored the kids and she got on well with Winnie but it was evident that the marriage would not survive Helena’s philandering ways.

Winnie knew in her heart that Helena never cared for the children. The only reason she was fighting so hard for custody now was because she knew it would devastate Winnie to lose them. As much as Helena was used to winning she’d never experienced nor was she ever up against a mother’s love for her children. No matter what tactic Helena employed Winnie was not intimidated. She was willing to do everything in her power to keep her two children from their narcissistic other mother. Winnie had the advantage being Wilson’s natural mother and even though Jung Yin was legally adopted by both of them even Helena had agreed that they would never split up the siblings.

Winnie had a strong case for sole custody of both of the children, but Helena’s money, determination and influence kept prolonging the proceedings. The latest hindrance being that the courts had temporarily granted visitation rights to Helena. Winnie couldn’t stop Helena from flying the kids out to Los Angeles now that she’d established a residence there, but she didn’t relish the idea of sending the seven and five year old cross country in the care of a Nanny so she’d accompanied them herself. Winnie and the kids arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Winnie dropped them off with Helena with the promise that she could see them on Wednesday and again on Thursday before she returned to New York. The kids would be with Helena until the weekend then she was to fly back with them to deliver them to their mother. Helena appeared to be agreeable to the terms Winnie had set forth for the visit.