“Have you heard of Irwin?” Rosita asked, her voice as innocent as ever. “He’s the son Stewart and I had five years ago. Back then, my career was taking off, and Stewart didn’t want me to lose momentum because of a baby–so this was the solution we came up with.”
She looked at Ms. Hudson, wide–eyed and guileless. “Ms. Hudson, you’ve really misunderstood me. I’m not the other woman. Stewart and I grew up together–we’ve loved each other for years. Your daughter? She’s not the wife, not really. She’s just someone we asked to raise our child for us. Nothing more than a caretaker”
Julia stared at Rosita, eyes wide in disbelief.
“This can’t be…” Julia shook her head, her voice trembling. “I don’t believe you. Bryn would never be that foolish! If she was just taking care of your child, then why would she…”
Why would she let herself get pregnant?
Her Bryn couldn’t be that naïve.
Clutching her aching chest, Julia struggled to breathe. “No. I don’t believe it. I need to go home and talk to Bryn…”
She turned and stumbled toward the door.
“Ms. Hudson.” Rosita darted forward and caught Julia’s arm. “Don’t rush off just yet. There’s something else you should know.”
Julia tried to shake her off, but Rosita held on tight, leaning in to whisper in Julia’s ear, “Do you remember Lauren Lynn?”
Julia froze mid–struggle.
Rosita released her, stepped back, and smiled sweetly as Julia’s eyes widened in horror. “Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Rosita. Lauren Lynn? She’s my mother.”
It was like Julia had been struck by lightning. All the color drained from her face.
“Youlia’s hand trembled as she pointed at Rosita. “You’re that woman’s daughter…”
“Oh, and one more thing.” Rosita unlocked her phone and pulled up a video–the one from yesterday, showing
at the Kensingtons‘ front door. “Take a good look at this, Ms. Hudson.”
Briony kneeling
“I heard Ms. Kensington went to beg the family just to pay for your treatment–let herself be humiliated for your sake. Even as an outsider, I was moved by her filial devotion.”
Julia’s gaze drifted to the phone, where the video played: Briony forced to her knees by Mack, her head pressed to the ground…
Julia felt as if her heart were being ripped apart. She couldn’t watch another second. Turning blindly, she staggered out of the room.
By the time Stewart returned from his phone call, Julia was gone.
He glanced at the holiday gift basket on the table, frowned, and turned to Rosita. “Did she say anything before she left?”
Rosita, lounging on the sofa, looked up at Stewart and shook her head innocently.
“Ms. Hudson seemed pretty upset. I tried to explain things between you and Ms. Kensington, but she wouldn’t listen. She just dropped off the gift and left.”
Stewart nodded and said nothing more.
14:23
Chapter 86
The ride home from the law office was silent. Julia didn’t say a word.
Gina quickly sensed something was wrong and tried to chat, but Julia barely responded.
Once they got home, Julia murmured that she was tired and retreated to her bedroom to rest.
Gina didn’t think much of it. After checking the time, she slipped out to do the grocery shopping, just like any
other day,
An hour later, Gina finished making lunch and went to Julia’s room to call her to eat.
She knocked several times. No answer. Frowning, Gina pushed the door open.
The room was empty. Julia was gone.
Gina searched the entire apartment, but Julia was nowhere to be found. She even checked outside, but there was still no sign of her.
A rising sense of dread washed over her. With shaking hands, Gina dialed Briony’s number…
