Hearing that, the new mother finally let out a relieved sigh.
Briony lingered in the doorway, watching the woman in the hospital bed. The lifelessness in her own eyes gradually faded.
She turned and walked into her own room.
James saw her pick up some clothes and head for the bathroom, baffled.
“Where are you going?”
Briony paused and glanced back at him, her expression calm and a faint smile on her lips. “I’m getting changed. I’m being discharged.”
James blinked, his striking hazel eyes going wide. “Wait, you mean-?”
Briony’s lips curved upward. Her voice was gentle but resolute. “I’ve decided not to go through with the procedure.”
“You’re… not?” James was surprised, but a smile broke through as he realized the meaning. “Really, you’re not?” She nodded. “From the moment I found out about them, I kept trying to let them go. Including today, that’s three times now I tried and failed. People keep saying earthquakes are rare in a city like Northborough. Maybe it’s a sign–even fate wants these babies to stay. Maybe they just really want me as their mom.”
Some things in life just can’t be explained by science.
James didn’t believe in fate or superstition, but right now, one thing was certain: these two children would become Briony’s anchor. Maybe they would heal the loneliness that had gradually eaten away at her heart.
Her world would be brighter, more vivid–full of life because of them.
Maybe that’s what life is all about.
“I’m going to have them,” Briony said softly, resting her hands over her belly. “They’re my children, and Stewart has nothing to do with it.”
Still, a shadow crossed her face. “But… if Stewart ever found out, I’m afraid he’d try to take them from me. So, I’m going to need your help to cover for me.”
James grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Are you kidding? I’m their godfather! With me in their corner, that deadbeat dad won’t get anywhere near your kids.”
For the first time in a long while, Briony felt at peace. She turned and disappeared into the bathroom.
By the time she came out, Stella had finished her rounds and returned.
James had already filled Stella in on Briony’s decision.
Of course, Stella was thrilled. She took Briony’s hands in hers. “So, the kids have a godfather. Does that mean I get to be godmother?”
“Of course you do,” Briony said, squeezing her friend’s hands gratefully. “Star, thank you for everything. I know you’ve been exhausted, taking care of me.”
Seeing Briony’s spirits so obviously lifted, Stella finally let herself relax.
“Come on, don’t get all sentimental on me,” Stella said with a laugh. “Now, let’s get you started on prenatal vitamins and folic acid.”
Stella wrote out the prescriptions and had James take Briony to the pharmacy to pick them up–she had to get
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Chapter 114
back to her shift.
Leaving the clinic, Briony and James walked side by side down the corridor.
Suddenly, chaos erupted from the emergency room behind them–a loud crash of medical equipment, followed by Cedric Clarke’s furious shout:
“Stewart, are you out of your damn mind? Where do you think you’re going?!”
Briony frowned, not quite processing what was happening before she heard hurried footsteps behind her.
A moment later, a cold, powerful hand clamped around her wrist.
She stiffened, turning–and froze in shock at the sight before her.
Blood trickled down from a gash at his brow, the bright red stark against his paper–white skin.
In all the years she’d known Stewart, Briony had never seen him look so utterly wrecked…
His eyes bored into her, rimmed with red, pupils dark and sharp as obsidian, as if he could see straight through her.
A chill ran down Briony’s spine. Every nerve was suddenly on edge.
“Stewart, what the hell do you think you’re doing? Let go of me!”
She struggled, trying to wrench her arm free, but his grip was ironclad.
“Me? Losing it?” Stewart let out a harsh, bitter laugh, his breath ragged from pain. He gritted his teeth, voice trembling with accusation. “Briony, you’re carrying my children and you kept it from me! Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
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