One memory after another reyed in his mind, and as Stewart pieced everything together, the answer became painfully clear.


    Briony must have found out about her pregnancy long ago. And she never intended to tell him-not from the very start.


    His mind shed back to that day...


    The blizzard had raged outside, and Briony''s resolve had been absolute. He''d been so blinded by anger that he''d overlooked the most important detail.


    The Maybach sped through the city streets, weaving dangerously betweennes, but Stewart never eased off the gas for a second.


    Inside the car, his grip on the steering wheel was iron-tight, his handsome features set in a cold, stormy scowl.


    So this was Briony''s n-leave him while carrying his child, and then start a new life with James? Was she really going to let his own child grow up calling another man "dad"?


    A bitter smile twisted Stewart''s lips.


    "Well done, Briony. You really outdid yourself."


    With one hand on the wheel, he pulled up his contacts and dialed Cedric rke. "Briony''s at your hospital. I need you to check her patient records, right now—"


    Honk! Honk!-


    Suddenly, a massive truck ran a red light and barreled into the intersection ahead.


    Stewart''s heart lurched. Instinct took over-he yanked the steering wheel hard to the side just as the truck hurtled toward him.


    The ck Maybach fishtailed violently, spun out of control, and careened onto the sidewalk. The front of the car mmed straight into a street sign.


    Crash!


    With a deafening bang, the hood crumpled and the airbags exploded open.


    White smoke began to billow from the engine.


    Inside, Stewart slumped over the wheel, eyes closed. On the floor, his phone still glowed-Cedric''s call was connected.


    "Stewart? Stewart, can you hear me? Stewart-!"


    Cedric''s anxious voice kept echoing from the phone, but no one answered...


    At the hospital, Cedric burst out of his office in a panic. "Joey!"


    His assistant rushed over. "Dr. rke, what is it?"


    "Call Zachary now-tell him to bring the ambnce to the ER entrance! And you,


    grab the trauma kit ande with me!"


    Joey sprang into action without hesitation.


    Meanwhile, Cedric grabbed his own phone and called a friend in the traffic


    department, asking for help tracking Stewart''s location.


    Less than five minutester, the police had news.


    Cedric and Joey jumped into the ambnce and raced toward the ident


    scene.


    At the same time, in the operating room, everything was ready.


    Brionyy down on the surgical table.


    Now that the moment hade, her whole body was tense. A strange chill crept over her, and she began to tremble uncontrobly.


    Ste, dressed in surgical scrubs, stood by her side and picked up on her fear.


    She whispered gently, "Bryn, don''t be scared. Try to rx. The anesthesiologist is about to give you something to help you sleep."


    Briony looked up at her, hands clenched tight. “Star, I''m so cold. Can you can you hold my hand?"


    Ste''s heart clenched.


    Director Grant, standing nearby, sighed. "Ste, keep her calm. Being this anxious isn''t good for the anesthesia."


    Ste wasn''t the lead surgeon for this procedure—her main job was to stay with Briony and help her feel safe.


    She squeezed Briony''s hand, holding it tight. "I''m right here, Bryn. Just rest now. When you wake up, it''ll all be over."


    At her words, Briony gradually closed her eyes.


    The anesthesiologist approached, speaking softly. "Ms. Kensington, I''m going to start the anesthesia now. Try to rx and count in your head from the beginning..."


    The needle pricked her skin-sharp pain made Briony''s brow knit in distress, and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye-