09:59
Chapter 93
Briony turned away from Stewart, no longer meeting his eyes, and staggered forward, barely holding herself together.
“Bryn!”
Stella hurried after her, catching up to help her into the car.
Stewart’s lashes trembled. He’d just started to move when Cedric Clarke, unable to watch any longer, stepped in to block his way.
“Stewart, let it go. She needs someone else right now, and that’s not you.”
Stewart’s expression darkened at those words.
Cedric, frustrated, shook his head. “Honestly, you’re hopeless. You just stand there trying to make your presence known, and it’s infuriating!”
Stewart shot him a glare, his face like a thundercloud, but said nothing.
Cedric sighed, the whole situation growing more absurd by the second.
“I mean it, man. You even kept your secret marriage to Briony from me! The last time at the hotel, I said all those things… No wonder Dr. Joyner was giving me that look. Stewart, you totally set me up…”
But Stewart wasn’t listening anymore. He pulled out his phone and dialed. “I need a search and rescue team. Money’s not a problem–just send them.”
For three days, Briony waited–sometimes by the riverbank, sometimes at the police station–hoping for news.
Stella took time off from her job at the hospital, staying with Briony day and night.
On New Year’s Eve, the officer assigned to the case finally approached Briony and told her the search was over. He offered his condolences.
Briony didn’t say a word. Once outside the station, she told Stella she wanted to stop by the grocery store.
Stella knew something was wrong. Ever since Julia’s accident, Briony had locked all her emotions deep inside. It was unsettling–far more so than if she’d broken down in tears.
But Stella was helpless. Briony had shut herself off, moving through the world like a numb, unfeeling puppet.
At the store, Briony quietly filled her basket with all the foods Julia had loved.
Stella trailed after her, eyes stinging with unshed tears.
Once home, Briony headed straight for the kitchen and began to cook.
Worried she might drift off or hurt herself, Stella stayed close, helping where she could.
As night fell and the city’s lights flickered on, Briony finally finished, setting out a full table of holiday dishes.
She set three places, then called Stella to join her at the table.
Stella sat down, staring at the hearty, festive meal–everything looked delicious, but she had no appetite at all.
Briony put a few pieces of fish into the empty bowl beside her, then ladled soup into another bowl and p! fit at the same spot.
Watching this, Stella’s chest tightened; her tears flowed unchecked.
“Bryn, please don’t do this. Just let yourself cry. If Julia could see you like this, it would break her heart…”
Briony looked up, her lips pale but curved in a faint smile. “It’s New Year’s Eve. We can’t cry today.”
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09:59
Chapter 93
“I’m okay,” she said softly. “Come on, let’s eat.”
She picked up a meatball and put it in Stella’s bowl. “These are your favorite. I made them just for you–so you can’t accuse me of only cooking what my mom liked.”
Stella stared at the meatball, tears streaming even harder.
Briony frowned and shot her a mock glare. “If you keep crying, I’ll throw you out, I swear.”
Then she quietly placed more of Julia’s favorite dishes in the empty bowl beside her.
Stella pressed her lips together, trying to hold back the sobs, but the tears just wouldn’t stop.
09:59
