Today was the day James arrived in Northborough.


    Briony''s burn was nearly healed-she could finally drive herself again.


    Now, she was behind the wheel of Ste''s car, heading to the airport to pick up James.


    Halfway there, her phone rang. It was Ste.


    Ste didn''t exin much, only urged her to get back to the hospital as quickly as possible.


    A wave of dread crashed over Briony. Her heart dropped, and her eyelid twitched with anxiety.


    She texted James, turned the car around, and sped toward the hospital.


    As soon as she arrived, Briony rushed straight to Dr. Cedric rke''s office.


    He handed her a report, and she took it, hands trembling.


    Acute leukemia. Advanced stage.


    The words hit her like a bolt from the blue. Briony stared numbly at the paper, refusing to believe it.


    But the report was right there in her hands.


    It took all her strength to find her voice. Looking up at Dr. rke, she asked, "Is there a chance for treatment?"


    "Treatment is certainly possible," Dr. rke replied, "but your mother''s overall health is quite weak. Radiation or chemotherapy would be extremely tough on her. The best option is a bone marrow transnt."


    "A transnt..." Briony''sshes fluttered. "Could I be a donor?"


    "Family members are often a good match, but nothing is guaranteed," Dr. rke said gently. "You should get tested forpatibility first."


    "All right, I''ll do it-"


    "Are you out of your mind?!" Ste cut in, her voice urgent. "Have you forgotten your own situation?"


    Briony hadn''t forgotten. "I remember. But I have to save my mom."


    Ste frowned, worry etched across her face. "But you-"


    "Star, don''t try to talk me out of this." Briony''s voice was resolute. "Nothing matters more than saving her."


    Dr. rke looked between the two women, sensing there was more going on than they were letting on.


    ...


    Inside Ste''s office.


    "You can''t be a donor while you''re pregnant." Ste locked the door and led Briony to sit beside her. “Pregnancy makes your bone marrow unstable. Even if you''re a match, you won''t be allowed to donate."


    Briony stared at the floor. "Then I''ll go through with the procedure first, and get tested afterward."


    "It''s not that simple," Ste sighed. "After the abortion, your body will need time to recover before you''re eligible to donate."


    Briony''s brow furrowed in frustration.


    "Bryn, I know you''re scared. But you need to take a breath and think this through."


    Ste squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I''m right here with you. I''ve already scheduled thepatibility test, and Dr. rke has sent a request to the marrow registry."


    Briony looked up at her. "Thank you, Star."


    "Try to rx," Ste said softly, offering a small smile. "Beating cancer is a long journey, but we''ll face it together—with your mom every step of the way." Briony pressed her lips together and nodded.


    ...


    Nightfall. Moonlight, the most exclusive private club in Northborough.


    Briony had heard that Mack was here tonight with friends.


    Family members had the best odds of being a match, and even though she doubted Mack would agree, Briony had to try.


    She stepped out of the elevator and made her way toward Mack''s private suite.


    Rounding a corner, she nearly collided with a grouping the other way.


    Stewart was there with Rosita, nked by Dr. Cedric rke-and Jason Prescott, the notorious yboy of the Prescott family.


    Jason was famous for dating a string of up-anding actresses and popr influencers. His habit of cycling through girlfriends had made him something of a local legend.


    But Briony barely noticed them.


    She kept her eyes ahead, ignoring the group, determined to keep moving forward.


    Rosita spotted Briony approaching and instinctively tightened her grip on Stewart''s arm, brows knitting ever so slightly.