When Briony arrived at the hospital, she had just stepped into the elevator when footsteps echoed behind her.


    Catching the movement in the polished reflection of the elevator wall, Briony saw Stewart approaching.


    She pressed her lips together and ignored him.


    Stewart entered the elevator, gave her a cool nce, and then moved to stand behind her.


    A momentter, six or seven more people squeezed in, making the small space instantly crowded.


    A plump woman in front shuffled closer, forcing Briony to take a few steps back.


    Her back was now almost-though not quite-touching Stewart''s broad, solid chest.


    He stood a full head taller than her, and she could faintly catch that familiar, subtle hint of mint on his skin.


    Unbidden, memories flickered through her mind.


    She recalled the past five years: tying his tie for him in the mornings like any dutiful wife as he got ready for work; and how, like any ordinary husband, he''d wrap an arm around her waist and press a soft kiss to her lips before leaving...


    Looking back now, the whole routine felt painfully ironic.


    Briony forced herself to shake off the thoughts and focus on the present, resolutely ignoring the man behind her.


    When the elevator reached Julia''s floor, the doors slid open. Briony slipped out quickly.


    This time, Stewart didn''t follow. He stayed where he was, watching her as she walked away.


    She didn''t look back. Her figure disappeared down the hallway, the closing elevator doors cutting off his view.


    ...


    Briony told Gina to head home and get some rest-she coulde back in the morning.


    Not long after Gina left, Ste arrived.


    The two of them slipped into the tiny break room, closed the door, and lowered their voices to discuss thetest online drama.


    "Rosita just posted a long statement backing you up," Ste said. "But honestly, I doubt she wrote it herself. Feels like she hired a PR pro to do it."


    Briony pulled up Facebook and found the post.


    She scanned it, reading quickly.


    Not bad, she thought.


    "She also deleted that earlier post where she ''stood up for you.'' Looks like she''s feeling guilty," Ste scoffed. "All those vague, wishy-washyments she made before? They looked supportive on the surface, but really she was just egging her fans on to question your character!"


    "But here''s the weird part: the minute Rosita''s statement went up, all the gossip about you and Ms. Hudson vanished. Even the trending tags disappearedpletely-like someone was pulling strings behind the scenes."


    "My guess is Stewart," Briony said quietly.


    Ste''s eyes widened. "Wait, he actually helped you?"


    "I threatened him," Briony replied, her voice calm.


    Ste gaped at her, shocked. "Girl, spill! How did you pull that off?"


    Briony gave her a wry smile. "Public opinion is a double-edged sword. Stewart and I aren''t officially divorced yet." She fixed Ste with a meaningful look. "So what do you think they''re most afraid of?"


    Understanding dawned on Ste''s face, and she gave Briony a big thumbs up. "That''s my girl! Honestly, post-breakup Briony is my hero." She shook her head, then added, “But Rosita really is ying with fire. Stewart''s been shielding her from everything, even gave her a son, and after five years she''s finally about to make her rtionship official. Seriously, is there anyone in all of Northborough luckier than her? You''d think she''d be content living her best life as a Hollywood star-so why go out of her way to mess with you, his soon-to-be ex-wife?"


    "Everyone has their own agenda," Briony replied softly. "I don''t want to fight her, but that doesn''t mean she doesn''t see me as a threat."


    "You''re right," Ste agreed, nodding. "After all, you''re still Mrs. Wentworth. That alone is enough to put her on edge!"


    Briony just pressed her lips together, silent.


    If she could, she''d dly erase ever being Mrs. Wentworth at all.


    Ste sensed her mood and, feeling helpless, searched for words tofort her.


    Her gaze drifted to Briony''s stomach, and she sighed again.


    Nothing seemed to be going right these days.


    Three dayster, Julia''s test results came back.


    Cedric rke reached out to Ste directly.


    The moment Ste saw the report, she called Briony at once.