Briony ignored her and focused on her own meal, barely ncing up.


    That New Year''s Eve dinner was shrouded in an uneasy, suffocating silence.


    Ste ate in tears, each bite swallowed with more saltwater than food.


    Briony, on the other hand, managed to eat quite a bit.


    But as she cleared the table, she suddenly mped a hand over her mouth and bolted for the bathroom, where she threw up everything she''d eaten.


    Ste panicked, but Briony just offered a faint smile and murmured that she was simply tired.


    It was barely nine o''clock-hours still to go before midnight.


    Ste gently supported Briony, helping her to bed.


    In the past three days, Briony had barely slept a wink.


    And if Briony was awake, Ste couldn''t rest either.


    Given the state Briony was in, Ste refused to leave her side. She''d called their parents earlier to exin, and they understood, reminding her to take good care of Briony.


    Once Brionyy down, exhaustion overtook her and she drifted off almost instantly.


    Ste stayed beside her, and before she knew it, she too had fallen asleep.


    It was impossible to say how long had passed when Briony, half-dreaming, heard someone calling her name.


    She startled awake, drenched in sweat, tears streaking her face, her chest aching with emptiness.


    Boom! Boom! Boom-


    Outside, the night sky exploded in a riot of fireworks, bursting in brilliant color. The new year had arrived.


    The room was dim and quiet. Briony nced over at Ste, who was fast asleep. Carefully, Briony slipped out from under the covers and tiptoed out the door.


    It was New Year''s. She needed to find her mother...


    ...


    Down by the river, the city was alive with noise and celebration. Families and friends flocked together in joyful crowds to ring in the new year.


    Wearing a pale dress and slippers, Briony wove unsteadily through the revelers toward the water''s edge.


    Hundreds of floatingnterns drifted across the river-a Northborough tradition to wee the new year with wishes and prayers.


    Briony gazed out at the glowingnterns until her vision blurred with tears. "Mom..."


    The word slipped out, and with it, the dam she''d held for three days finally broke; tears rushed down her cheeks unchecked.


    "Mom! It''s New Year''s. Why aren''t youing home... Mom!"


    Behind her,ughter and cheers filled the night, but Briony gripped the railing,


    calling for her mother again and again.


    Her voice, ragged and desperate, was swallowed by the crowd-no one noticed.


    No matter how she called, there would never be an answer.


    Unbearable grief tore through her. Her mother was gone.


    And now, she no longer had a home.


    From behind, voices shouted fresh wishes into the night:


    "Here''s to a year filled with peace and happiness for the whole family!"


    "I hope this year brings my parents good health, my marriage harmony, my


    children joy, and our family all the happiness in the world!"


    Briony turned, taking in the beaming faces, the glow of families wrapped in each other''s arms. All she felt was a hollow ache inside her chest.


    She was alone, utterly alone.


    Everyone else had someone to call home. How lucky they were.


    Her lips twisted into a bitter, fragile smile.


    Slowly, Briony turned back to the river, a determined glint rising in her eyes.


    As the cheers andughter rose behind her, she climbed over the railing.


    "Hey! Miss, what are you doing-"


    A shout rang out from the crowd.


    Briony didn''t hear it. She closed her eyes and spread her arms wide-


    "Wait! Someone''s trying to jump-!"


    At thest possible second, a tall figure lunged forward, grabbing Briony''s arm before she could let go.