Stella handled Briony’s hospital admission first, then led her to the ward to change into a hospital gown.
Once Briony had changed, they went through a series of routine checkups.
The test results would be ready in half an hour.
That wait felt endless. Briony stood by the window, silent and still.
Stella and James kept her company, quietly staying nearby without intruding.
Thirty minutes ticked by before the results finally arrived–everything was normal, and she was cleared for surgery.
At that moment, a message came from the operating room: they were ready.
“Bryn,” Stella called softly, “it’s time. We should go to the OR.”
Briony’s lashes fluttered as she slowly turned around.
Stella walked over and wrapped her in a gentle hug. “Don’t be nervous. I’ll be right there with you,” she reassured her.
Briony’s reply was barely above a whisper. “Okay.”
James stood off to the side, wordless, his brow furrowed, the concern on his face deeper than usual.
The three of them made their way to the doors of the operating room. James stopped there.
Stella held Briony’s arm and walked her in. The heavy doors swung shut behind them.
Northborough Municipal Court. The judge’s gavel hit the bench, marking the end of the case. The verdict: the plaintiff had won the lawsuit for sexual assault against a minor.
Stewart stepped out into the corridor, only to have the victim’s parents hurrying after him.
“Thank you, Attorney Wentworth! Thank you!”
The middle–aged couple, faces lined with exhaustion and dressed in plain clothes, fell to their knees, thanking Stewart over and over as they bowed in gratitude.
Stewart’s eyes widened in surprise. He rushed forward, helping them to their feet.
His voice was steady but gentle. “This is my duty as your attorney. There’s no need for this.”
“We couldn’t find anyone in all of Northborough willing to help us–no one but you, Attorney Wentworth…” The mother’s tears streamed down her cheeks. “You’re our family’s savior!”
Stewart was eloquent and commanding in the courtroom, but outside of it, he’d never been comfortable with emotional displays.
He glanced over at Carl.
Carl caught his meaning immediately and stepped forward, his tone soothing. “Really, you’re giving us too much credit. Attorney Wentworth only did what any good lawyer should do. The case is won–go home and take care of your daughter.”.
Stewart left the comforting to Carl and walked away toward his car, a sleek Maybach.
Once inside, he pulled out his phone and saw several missed calls from Jason.
Stewart frowned, then returned the call.
Jason answered immediately, his voice urgent and loud. “Finally! You have no idea who I just ran into at the
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hospital–guess who was in the OB–GYN wing?”
Stewart paused, a strange sense of foreboding creeping over him. “Who?”
“Briony, that’s who!”
Stewart’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“What was she doing at the OB–GYN?”
Jason snorted. “What do you think people do at the OB–GYN?”
He scoffed again. “She was there with James. I swear, I always said she was up to something! Trying to get ahead by getting pregnant before marriage! The Delaneys are practically old money–no way they’d ever approve of someone like her. James is just too young, never been burned by a woman before! If Briony thinks she can land a place in that family by having a kid, she’s dreaming…”
Stewart tuned out the rest of Jason’s rant.
He hung up, started the engine, and pulled out of the parking lot, heading straight for the hospital.
All the way there, memories of Briony’s recent odd behavior kept resurfacing.
When had it started?
He thought back–it must have been New Year’s Eve. She hadn’t looked well that night, but he’d brushed it off, assuming she was just in a mood.
Later, when Irwin was hospitalized, she’d thrown up at the slightest smell of fish.
And then, when Irwin threw something at her, she instinctively shielded her stomach…
