Chapter 83
“There are only four days left until New Year’s Eve,” Stella said, her expression worried. “You really should stay with Ms. Hudson through the holidays before you even think about surgery, don’t you think?”
“I looked it up,” Briony replied, voice calm but tired. “I just need to keep warm and take it easy for a while. Other than that, there’s not much I have to worry about.”
“But still-”
“Star, can you please ask for me?” Briony looked at Stella earnestly. “Scheduling surgery is a huge headache. Waiting another week… it just feels like forever.”
After all, it was her own child. Every day she waited, her attachment grew a little stronger.
She was terrified–afraid that if she dragged this out any longer, she might change her mind.
Stella wasn’t sure this was right, but seeing how determined Briony was, she could only agree to try.
When Director Grant heard that Briony had just come out of the ER–with stitches still fresh on her forehead–and was asking about surgery that very afternoon, she didn’t just refuse. She tore into Stella over the phone.
Stella hung up, lips pouting in defeat. “See? Absolutely not! This isn’t a joke, Briony, you have a rare blood type! I haven’t been chewed out by my mentor this badly since I became a full–time resident!”
“Sorry, I just-”
“Alright, alright, enough.” Stella cut her off with an exasperated eye roll. “You’ve been apologizing to me ever since you woke up. If you’re not tired of saying it, I’m already tired of hearing it. Just stop thinking about all this for now, okay? Get some rest.”
Briony pressed her lips together and fell quiet.
Stella glanced at her friend’s worried face, then sighed. “Don’t stress. Professor Grant knows your situation inside out. She said she’ll keep your case on the blood bank’s radar. After the holidays, if you’re still sure you want to go through with it, just tell me and I’ll call her right away.”
Briony touched her belly gently. “Alright. We’ll talk after the holidays.”
That evening, Cedric Clarke stopped by to check on Briony.
Stella had gone back to work, leaving the two of them alone in the room.
Once Cedric was sure that Briony was alright, he cleared his throat, hesitated, then finally spoke up. “Um, Stewart came to see me this morning.”
Briony went still.
After a few seconds, she looked at Cedric. “Dr. Clarke, can I ask you something? Has Stewart ever mentioned me to you?”
Cedric blinked, thinking it over before answering honestly. “You know, I don’t think he ever has.”
Briony’s lips twisted in a faint, bitter smile.
Just as she’d expected.
In the last five years, Stewart had never introduced her to a single one of his friends. She used to think it was because he was busy with work, or maybe just naturally reserved and not one for casual get–togethers.
But after Rosita returned from abroad, and Irwin’s family secret came out, Briony finally understood. From the
14:23
Chapter 83
moment she’d begged Stewart to defend her mother, he’d already set everything in motion.
He’d offered her his hand, shining like a savior, and she’d thought it was salvation–never realizing he was just casting a net.
For five years, she’d been tangled in the marriage Stewart had woven for her, convinced she was safe within it. She never saw the hooks hidden in the threads.
Five years of marriage had left her battered and scarred without her even realizing it, while Stewart–the one who’d spun the web–came and went as he pleased, always in control, always calculating.
Only she was left to pick up the pieces, her pain invisible to everyone else.
The hospital room was silent.
Briony’s quiet sadness was so palpable that Cedric almost couldn’t bear it.
“Are you alright?” he asked gently. “Did I say something wrong?”
Briony snapped out of her reverie and looked at Cedric, then gave a cold, crooked smile. “If Stewart never mentioned me, Dr. Clarke, why would you think he’d help me?”
Cedric hesitated. She was right–why had he assumed that?
Stewart had never once told him directly what their relationship was.
He’d even asked, but Stewart always evaded the question.
Staring at Briony, Cedric felt a sudden wave of embarrassment.
He couldn’t exactly say, “Well, my gut tells me Stewart cares about you.”
If Stewart were single, maybe he could have played matchmaker.
But Stewart and Rosita had been together for years and even had a son.
If he implied Stewart cared for Briony, it would make Stewart look like a serial cheater in waiting. That wasn’t a line Cedric was willing to cross.
