Briony pressed her lips together, not in the mood to deal with Stewart right now.
Still, she had to admit–if Stewart hadn’t helped, Stella wouldn’t have been rescued from Garry so quickly.
Stewart stopped right in front of her, dark eyes fixed on her face. “Why aren’t you going in?”
“It doesn’t make any difference if I wait here,” Briony replied quietly.
“Is it because you saw me?”
Briony said nothing.
Stewart didn’t press further, just gave a faint, wry smile. “Stella’s a fighter–she wants to live. You don’t have to worry too much. I’ll get going.”
With that, he stepped past Briony and walked away.
She didn’t acknowledge him, but his words settled her nerves a little.
As long as Stella survived, that was all that mattered.
***
The surgery dragged on until eight that evening.
Finally, the lead surgeon emerged and announced that the operation had been a success.
At the news, Scarlett and Ableson broke down in each other’s arms, weeping with relief.
Cedric Clarke hugged the surgeon, barely able to contain his excitement. He kept thanking him again and again.
Briony, however, kept her distance.
She watched everything from afar, tears slipping down her face in silence.
When Stella was wheeled out, her head was wrapped in thick bandages and an oxygen mask covered her face.
The lively, spirited girl she’d known was now lying quietly and motionless on the hospital bed, almost unrecognizable.
Briony longed to go to her, to reach out and hold her–but she couldn’t bring herself to take a single step forward.
James tried to encourage her. “Why don’t you go see her, just for a moment?”
Briony shook her head. “Scarlett’s already been through enough, I don’t want to upset her any further.”
James let out a sigh. “I can tell you’re blaming yourself. But none of this was your fault.”
Briony didn’t respond.
That night, Stella was transferred to the intensive care unit.
The surgery had gone well, but the surgeon warned that it might be several days before Stella woke up.
Over the next few days, Ableson and Scarlett barely left the hospital. Briony called Cedric Clarke every day to
check on Stella’s condition.
Cedric, meanwhile, had resigned from Lockwood Hospital and taken a position at Horizon Health Institute.
Lockwood Hospital had been thrown into chaos after Quentin’s downfall, with the board fighting for control.
Cedric was one of Northborough’s best–known oncologists. He’d only joined Lockwood in the first place
because of Stella.
1/3
19:36
Now, after everything Quentin had done to Stella, there was no way she could return to Lockwood–and Cedric saw no reason to stay, either.
The rainy season finally ended. The air turned fresh and dry, and summer warmth crept into Northborough.
On a bright, sunlit morning, Stella finally woke up.
A week had passed since her surgery.
The timing was almost uncanny.
Ableson and Scarlett had stayed by Stella’s side around the clock, but just the night before, Scarlett–worn out by exhaustion–had come down with a fever.
Worried about passing anything to Stella, Scarlett went home to recover, with Ableson insisting on going with
her.
That left Cedric Clarke to keep watch over Stella.
So, when Stella’s eyes fluttered open, the first person she saw was Cedric.
And then, something even stranger happened.
Stella had lost her memory.
She’d forgotten everyone–except the man she saw when she woke: Cedric Clarke.
When news broke that Stella had woken up, Scarlett and Ableson rushed straight to the hospital.
Scarlett, still sick, wore a surgical mask and stood in the doorway, afraid to get too close to her daughter.
Ableson went in, standing by the bed and greeting her softly. “Star, it’s Dad.”
But Stella barely reacted. Her bright, star–like eyes never left Cedric Clarke.
The adoring look she gave Cedric made Ableson frown with jealousy.
He turned to Cedric, frustrated. “What’s going on with Star?”
Cedric sighed. “Dr. Joyner has amnesia.”
At this, both Scarlett and Ableson were stunned.
The lead surgeon ran more tests. Apart from the memory loss, Stella was recovering remarkably well.
As for her amnesia, the surgeon explained that head trauma often causes temporary memory loss–sometimes it resolves with time, but in rare cases, it can be permanent.
When Briony arrived at the hospital, she met Scarlett and Ableson just as they stepped out of the room.
Ableson glanced anxiously at Scarlett.
Scarlett’s brow furrowed.
Briony greeted them quietly. “Mr. and Mrs. Joyner.”
“Bryn.” Scarlett looked at her through reddened, tired eyes above her mask. She sighed, voice trembling. “There’s something I want to say to you.”
Briony’s hands clenched at her sides. “Of course.”
They stepped onto a small balcony outside the ward.
Scarlett faced her, expression grave. “Bryn, I’m sorry. I’m a mother–there’s nothing in this world more important to me than my child’s health and safety.”
Briony’s lashes fluttered. She nodded. “I understand, Mrs. Joyner.”
Chapter 240
“Please, don’t blame me.” Scarlett took Briony’s hand, her own trembling. “Star doesn’t remember anyone but Dr. Clarke. Maybe… maybe this is just fate.”
A lump formed in Briony’s throat.
She wanted to say “yes,” but the word wouldn’t come out.
Her eyes burned. She ducked her head, tears running silently down her cheeks.
Scarlett’s voice broke. “I am so sorry, Bryn. You’re a good person. If Star ever remembers you, I won’t stand in your way. But if she never does…”
“I understand,” Briony said quickly, nodding hard. “Mrs. Joyner, I understand.”
Scarlett, crying, gave Briony a quick embrace before turning away and leaving.
Briony slowly crouched down, hugging herself tight, burying her face in the crook of her arm as her shoulders shook with silent sobs.
Chapter 241
