After her shower, Julia slipped into fresh clothes. Briony and Ste whisked her off to a salon next.


    Julia''s hair had been chopped short during her time in prison, and five yearster, streaks of gray had crept in. Briony asked the stylist to dye the grays ck and give Julia a gentle trim, shaping her hair into something softer, more hopeful.


    When they left the salon, Julia felt as if she''d been reborn.


    Briony had reserved a private dining room for lunch. Just before noon, the trio arrived at The Regal Waters Hotel.


    Their room was on the third floor. A waiter led the way.


    As they turned a corner, a group approached from the opposite direction. At the front was an elegant older woman, her bearing regal and unmistakable. By her side walked a young man whose sharp features bore a striking resemnce to Briony.


    Briony frowned. Of all ces... She never imagined they''d run into the Kensingtons here.


    When Julia saw them, her face drained of color and she froze mid-step.


    Ste was dumbstruck too. Was the world really this small?


    Ms. Hudson''s first day out of prison, and she already bumped into these people!


    "Unbelievable," Ste muttered under her breath. "Julia, when we get home, you''re walking through the firece again for luck!"


    Julia pressed her lips together, silent, but the tension in her posture gave her away.


    Briony considered steering Julia in another direction, but the Kensingtons had already spotted them.


    Malcolm''s mother, Madeline Kensington, mmed her cane against the marble floor, her voice ringing out. "Mack, isn''t that the wretched woman who killed your father?!"


    Mack red at Julia, eyes brimming with hatred. "Yes, Grandma. It''s her." Madeline seethed. "So I can''t even have a peaceful eightieth birthday! That vile woman is out of prison!"


    The rest of the Kensington n behind her chimed in, equally incensed.


    "My brother died so unjustly, and look at her! Five years in prison and she walks free, waltzing into fancy hotels for lunch? It''s disgusting!"


    "If Briony hadn''t protected her back then, she would''ve been executed!"


    Madeline''s voice trembled with rage. "My son''s death can''t be wiped away just because you spent five years behind bars, you wretched woman!"


    "Don''t worry, Grandma," Mack spat, stalking toward them, "I''ll get justice for Dad. One way or another."


    Briony eyed Mack''s approach, knowing he meant trouble. She stepped in front of Julia, shielding her.


    "Mack, look carefully. This is your mother," Briony said, locking eyes with him, her tone steely. "Touch her, and you''ll have to go through me."


    He sneered at Briony, who stood before Julia like a mother hen guarding her chick. "Briony, you''ll soon realize-prison was the safest ce for her."


    A chill ran through Briony.


    Julia hung her head, trembling uncontrobly. Mack looked so much like his father -especially now, with malice darkening his face.


    Visions of old beatings shed through Julia''s mind. She clung to Briony''s hand, knuckles white.


    Briony felt her mother''s panic and murmured, "It''s okay, Mom. I''m right here." Just then, a waiter pushed a cart past, steam curling up from a tureen of hot soup.


    Mack''s gaze fixed on the soup, and he gave a twisted smile. “Let''s see how you protect her now."


    Without warning, he snatched up the bowl and hurled it at Julia.


    "Mom! Watch out-!"


    "Bryn!"


    In a split second, Briony shoved Julia aside. The soup sttered mostly against the wall, but Briony''s arm caught a ssh. Angry, red welts blossomed across her skin.


    Pain nched Briony''s face.


    "Bryn!" Julia''s eyes filled with tears as she saw Briony''s burns. Guilt and self- loathing overwhelmed her. "It''s all my fault... I''m so useless..."


    Briony forced a smile, swallowing the pain. "I''m fine, Mom. Just need a bit of ointment."


    Ste was livid. She marched up to Mack, pointing in his face. "You''re a monster, Mack! That''s your own mother and your sister-how could you?!"


    Mack''s expression darkened. He shoved Ste hard. "Who the hell are you to mouth off at me?"


    Ste stumbled backward, about to fall-but a man''s arm caught her from behind. Steadying herself, she looked up and froze. "Director rke!"


    Cedric rke offered her a warm, gentlemanly smile. "Dr. Joyner! What a small world. Are you alright?"


    His gaze swept over the scene, lingering on Mack, and then on Briony''s scalded hand. His brows drew together in concern. "What happened here?"


    Before Ste could answer, the door to the private dining room swung open- And Stewart stepped out, tall andposed, his presence filling the hallway.