Chapter 281
Chapter 281
Briony pressed her lips together, fingers tightening around her phone.
“Bryn, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Briony’s voice was cold. “Rosita won’t be riding high forever.”
“That Rosita really is something,” James muttered. “She had a kid with Stewart, then turned right around and had another with Garry! And the kicker? She doesn’t even look after either of them. Word is, Garry hired a whole team of nannies and specialists for their child. Rosita just gives birth and hands them off!”
James paused, then added, “With Garry protecting her now, she’s not going to be easy to deal with.”
Briony closed her eyes.
She could never forget–years ago, it was Rosita’s one reckless move that cost Briony her son’s life.
A debt like that had to be repaid.
“If Garry’s planning a fairytale wedding for her, then I’ll make sure she gets a wedding gift she’ll never forget.”
After ending the video call, Briony stepped out of the kitchen.
Little Nina had already finished breakfast.
“Mommy, I’m all done! You should eat too.”
Looking at her sweet, thoughtful daughter, Briony’s heart still ached. In just a few days, it would be Little Nina’s birthday–and also her brother’s memorial day.
Four years had passed, but the grief remained as sharp as ever.
After walking Little Nina to preschool, Briony returned home and received a call from Carney.
Over the years, Carney and Gwendolyn White had visited her occasionally, though not too often–they didn’t want to attract Stewart’s attention. Even so, they kept in touch regularly through calls and video chats.
Now Carney and Gwendolyn were planning to come stay for a few days: to celebrate Little Nina’s birthday and enjoy a little vacation.
The town was nestled among rolling hills and clear lakes, the air fresh and crisp–a perfect place for a relaxing
getaway.
Briony was more than happy to have them over. After confirming their arrival date and chatting about work, she hung up.
At four o’clock sharp, Briony set out to pick up Little Nina from preschool.
Her daughter was a little social butterfly–Briony never had to worry about her making friends.
After picking her up, Briony took Little Nina to the town’s health clinic.
Four years ago, Briony had realized she’d never be free from Stewart’s control if she stayed in Silveridge. So when she ended up in the emergency room again, she remembered Mr. Chadwick.
The business card he’d once given her had saved both her and her daughter’s lives. When Stewart collapsed and was hospitalized, Mr. Chadwick used the opportunity to arrange everything, discreetly sending Briony and Little Nina off to Astara.
In Astara, Mr. Chadwick provided a team of specialists to care for them. After three months of treatment, Little
Nina survived.
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Chapter 281
Everything was set up, and if Briony wished, she and her daughter could have remained in Astara for good. But Little Nina was allergic to many things and struggled with foreign food and water.
When Mr. Chadwick learned this, he suggested she bring Little Nina to the historic town of Silverlake City. The air was clean, the scenery beautiful–an ideal place to raise a child.
Most importantly, the town had a reputable clinic. Mr. Chadwick assured her that with the right doctor, Little Nina’s condition could be managed.
Trusting his advice, Briony settled in Silverlake City with her daughter.
Sadly, the doctor Mr. Chadwick had recommended had since passed away. But his protégé, Ferdinand Ellsworth, was said to be a prodigy–he’d inherited all his mentor’s knowledge and had never let him down.
Briony parked by the curb, opened the back door, and unbuckled Little Nina from her car seat.
Hand in hand, Little Nina skipped along beside her mother, practically bouncing with excitement.
Briony smiled down at her. “You’re in a good mood today, aren’t you?”
“Of course! I get to see the handsome Dr. Ellsworth again–just thinking about it makes the whole world sweeter!”
Such a little charmer.
Briony tapped her daughter’s nose, feigning exasperation. “You’re such a sucker for a pretty face.”
“If I’m a sucker for looks, then you’re the queen of them!” Little Nina replied, her voice clear and bright.
Briony sighed. “I am not.”
“You totally are!” Little Nina insisted. “I’m your kid, so I must get it from you. That’s how inheritance works–what I have, you must have too!”
Briony could only shake her head, nearly dizzy from her daughter’s logic.
At the clinic’s entrance, Little Nina let go of her mother’s hand and dashed inside.
“Hey, Little Nina’s here!”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Block! Hi, Danny! Hi, Miss White! Hello, Mr. Evans!” she chirped, greeting everyone in turn–even the fat ginger tabby dozing at the front desk.
“And hello to you,Chubbs! Haven’t seen you in two days and you look even fluffier! Bet you’ve been sneaking treats again, huh?”
The cat Chubbs:
”
Scanning the room and not spotting her favorite doctor, Little Nina frowned. “Is Dr. Ellsworth not working today?”
