“Sister Wives”’ Janelle Brown Says Marriage to Kody Could Work Only If They’re ‘Struck by Lightning’ (Exclusive)

In PEOPLE’s sneak peek at Sunday’s episode of the TLC hit series, Christine Brown is frustrated that her sister wife is choosing to spend her birthday with Kody amid the decline of their relationship

Janelle Brown is planning to spend her birthday with ex Kody Brown despite their blowout fight.

In PEOPLE’s sneak peek at Sunday’s episode of Sister Wives, Janelle, 54, explains why she wanted to spend her big day with Kody, 54, amid their separation.

“You know, before Kody and I had our big fight, we had reached a point where we weren’t connected and I was very frustrated with him that he wasn’t making an effort to see [daughter] Savanah,” she says. “But, on a very superficial level, Kody and I can go and hang out and we can have a great time if I just compartmentalize and put away all the other stuff. So when he called them like, ‘Yeah, hey, it’s better than staying home and watching TV.’”

Christine, who announced her split from Kody in November 2021, was surprised by Janelle’s decision to celebrate with Kody, sharing, “I think they’re an interesting place. A really interesting place in the relationship.”

“She also loves him, still wants to be with him as far as I know. I know things are hard,” she adds. “I don’t know if Kody’s worked things out with her kids and I think that most of our kids are pretty frustrated with him right now.”

In a confessional, Janelle also questions her future with Kody, explaining, “At this point, I really don’t foresee Kody and I working our relationship out.”

“I have to always be open to the possibility that we will somehow be struck by lightning and that it will all be happily ever after,” she shares. “But I’m also a realist and I know that it doesn’t look good.”

Christine is making clear that she is always in Janelle’s corner and recalls a conversation she had with Janelle’s daughter, Maddie Brown Brush.

“I told Maddie, I’m like, ‘Look, your mom just needs to be happy. Just whatever can make your mom happy that’s what I’m gonna support you’re doing,” she explains. “If she wants to stay, I’m gonna totally support her staying in Flagstaff. I’ll support her staying with Kody, whatever she wants to do I’m going to support. No problem.”

Despite admitting their last interaction was “the worst fight” they had ever had, she is still hopeful to keep things peaceful during her birthday celebration.

“I don’t want any fighting,” she says. “I just want to be easy and have fun and celebrate the day.”