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Chapter 38
Briony returned to her own hospital room first, changing out of the standard–issue gown and back into her own clothes. After collecting herself, she made her way to see Julia.
Outside Julia’s room, Gina was waiting. The moment she saw Briony, she hurried over, blocking her path.
“Ms. Kensington, please, don’t go in just yet.”
Briony frowned in confusion. “What’s happened?”
Gina glanced around, then pulled Briony aside, lowering her voice. “I’ll be honest with you–your mother’s awake, but she’s… well, she’s seen the news online. She thinks you broke up someone else’s relationship, and the shock is what caused her to faint.”
Briony froze.
News online?
She hesitated, her mind racing. Suddenly, the realization hit her. She spun around to look at Stella.
“Star, give me my phone.”
Stella, knowing there was no use hiding it anymore, handed the phone over.
Briony unlocked it and opened Facebook.
Her inbox was flooded with messages. Even under her attempted post clarifying the rumors, the comments were a barrage of vitriol:
“Homewrecker.”
“Manipulator.”
“Attention seeker.”
“Brought ruin to your own father.”
“Knew he was married and still got involved.”
“Daughter of a murderer–just die already!”
“Murderess deserves.
“Evil always gets what’s coming!”
19
gly insults made
The endless stream of Briony’s eyes sting with tears.
The hospital room door creaky duty they all to som
Briony stepped inside.
open from the outside.
Julia sat on the bed, dazed. Hearing someone enter, she slowly turned her head.
When she saw Briony, her pale and exhausted face managed a faint smile. “Why did you come back?”
“My flight was delayed. Gina called me, so I came straight here.”
Briony walked over to the bed, gently touching her mother’s cheek. “Mom, don’t worry. Everything online–it’s all
lies.”
“All lies?” Julia stared at her, her voice trembling. “Bryn, can you swear on my life that there’s nothing–nothing at all–between you and Attorney Wentworth?”
Briony stiffened.
1/2
Chapter 38
“You’re my daughter.” Julia’s eyes bore into her, catching every subtle flicker of Briony’s expression, every sign of forced calm.
“How could you…” Julia’s voice broke, her eyes red–rimmed as she clenched her fists. “My entire life was ruined by the other woman! How could you… how could you become one?”
Julia couldn’t bring herself to say the words “the other woman” to her own daughter. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face as she choked out, “You’re stabbing me right in the heart, Bryn! If the price of avoiding a death sentence is my daughter destroying someone else’s marriage, then I’d rather die!” Briony’s eyes widened in shock.
She stared at her mother, tears streaming down her own pale cheeks.
“Mom, it’s not true, I swear–I would never… I haven’t…”
She clung to Julia’s hand, pleading, “Mom, please, believe me, okay?”
“I knew something was wrong with you that day at the hotel…” Julia’s disappointment was plain, her voice heavy. “Bryn, you love Stewart. I can see it in your eyes–you can’t fool me.”
Briony’s heart dropped.
Julia shook her head, tears and a bitter, broken smile on her lips. “You’ve made a terrible mistake, Bryn. I can’t forgive you. I don’t want to see you right now. Please, just go.”
“No, please…” Briony held tight to her mother’s hand. “Let me explain, Mom, just listen to me-”
“Go!” Julia wrenched her hand free, pushing Briony away.
Briony stumbled backward just as the door opened again.
Stewart entered, reaching out instinctively to steady her.
Briony caught herself, then, realizing who it was, jerked away. Her expression hardened.
Stewart merely raised a dark brow, his face as unreadable as ever.
Briony glared at him, her voice trembling with anger. “Stewart, what are you doing here?”
