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Chapter 24
January 15th on the old calendar–Briony’s mother, Julia Hudson, was finally coming home.
Stella had taken the day off to go with Briony to pick up Julia.
The weather forecast had been spot on: the day was glorious, clear and bright.
Sunlight broke through the thick winter clouds and spilled across the ground, turning the snow into a dazzling sea of diamonds.
Outside the gates of Northborough’s women’s prison, Briony stood wrapped in a cream–colored wool coat. She looked delicate, her long, silky hair swaying gently in the wind.
“Star, what time is it?” Briony’s eyes were fixed on the towering brick walls ahead, her tightly clasped hands betraying her nerves.
Stella gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “It’s only eight–thirty. She’ll be out soon. Try not to worry.”
As the words left her lips, the heavy iron gate rattled.
A smaller side door swung open.
Briony’s eyelashes fluttered. She broke into a run.
“Mom!”
Julia paused in surprise when she saw her, but her face quickly broke into a smile. “Bryn, you’re here.”
“Take care of yourself and start fresh,” the young guard said kindly, then turned and walked back inside.
The gate clanged shut behind them.
Briony draped the down jacket she’d been carrying over Julia’s shoulders. “Mom, I’m here to take you home.”
Julia nodded, then glanced at Stella. She stared for a moment before recognition dawned. “Star, is that you?”
Stella grinned. “It’s me! Bryn and I came to bring you home.”
Julia’s eyes glistened as she grasped Stella’s hand, holding on tight. “You’re a good girl. I don’t know what Bryn would’ve done without you all these years. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me! Bryn and I grew up together–we’re practically sisters. Don’t feel bad. Let’s get you home first. Bryn bought a new place and decorated it herself. It’s cozy and beautiful; you’re going to love it.” “Yes, let’s go home.” Julia took Briony’s hand in one of hers, Stella’s in the other. When she smiled, the lines at the corners of her eyes deepened. “Let’s go home.”
Dolphin Cove.
The elevator chimed as it reached the top floor, and the doors slid open.
The three of them stepped out together. Stella hurried in first and lit the fireplace, positioning it right by the entrance. “Julia! Step over the fire–leave the bad luck behind. From now on, only good things ahead!”
Julia’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded and stepped over the flames, smiling bravely.
Briony watched her mother cross the threshold into the home she’d so lovingly prepared. In that moment, emotion overwhelmed her; tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them.
She turned away, quickly wiping her face with the back of her hand.
Five years–she had finally brought her mother out of that cold, unforgiving place, back into a home that was truly theirs.
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Chapter 24
A home with no Kensingtons. No Hudsons. Just the two of them, mother and daughter.
Stella led Julia on a tour of the new apartment, showing off every cozy corner, before finally bringing her to the
bedroom.
Brand–new clothes lay folded on the bed–Briony had picked them out herself. Stella handed them to Julia with
a smile.
“Julia, why don’t you take a shower and change into something fresh? Later, Bryn and I will take you out for a real feast!”
Julia took the clothes and held them in her hands, fingers trembling.
For a long moment, she stood there, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Bryn has suffered so much because of me…”
Stella gently rubbed her back. “Julia, now that you’re home, Bryn doesn’t have to suffer anymore.”
Julia closed the bathroom door behind her, and the sound of running water soon muffled the quiet sobs she couldn’t hold back.
Stella stepped out just as Briony returned, her eyes still red from crying.
“Julia’s in the shower,” Stella said softly, glancing at Briony’s tear–stained face. She sighed. “You two really are alike–you both hide when you cry.”
Briony hesitated. “My mom was crying?”
“She just needs to let it out. She feels guilty, that’s all.”
Briony pressed her lips together, silent.
Prison had aged Julia–she was thinner, the lines on her face deeper, her spirit dimmed by five years behind bars. She looked a decade older than when she’d gone in.
Briony had visited her often, sharing news about her business, updates on the new home, everything–except her marriage to Stewart. That was something she could never bring herself to mention.
If her mother knew how broken her daughter’s marriage had become, it would only break her heart even more.
“Are you really not going to tell Julia?” Stella asked quietly, stepping closer. “Even though the surgery is routine now, you should still rest afterward, just to be safe.”
“I’ve got it all planned,” Briony replied. “The housekeeper starts tomorrow. The procedure’s the day after. I’ll tell Mom I’m away on business for a week or so. By the time I’m back, it’ll be nearly the holidays.”
Stella sighed. “Alright. If you’ve got everything covered, I’ll back you up.”
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
