"Star..." Briony stared up at the crystal chandelier above her, her eyes nk and hollow. Her voice was so raw it was almost a whisper. "I dreamed about my granddad. And my mom..."


    Ste''s chest tightened. She wrung out the warm washcloth and gently dabbed at the sweat and tears on Briony''s face.


    "It''s normal," Ste murmured, "to dream of the people you miss most when you''re sick."


    She continued, her voice steady, trying tofort her friend. "You had a mild fever earlier today. I used alcohol to try to bring it down, and Stewart dropped off some medicine from the local pharmacy. I stayed, just in case he got suspicious. Later, Dr. rke wanted to stop by and check on you, but I turned him away."


    Briony blinked once, slowly, as if she hadn''t heard a word Ste said. She kept talking, lost in her dream.


    "I was lost... It was a long, endless tunnel. My granddad was calling me from behind, and my mom was in front of me, blocking my way..."


    Ste gently pried Briony''s cold, clenched fingers off the nket and wrapped them in the warmth of the towel.


    "My mom told me toe back," Briony whispered. "She said I was going to be a mother too, that I can''t go there..."


    Ste dropped her gaze, pressing her lips together to keep them from trembling. The corners of her eyes turned red.


    Briony''s voice cracked, breaking into a choked whisper. She closed her eyes, and her final words escaped like a sigh, "But... I''m just so tired..."


    Hershes fluttered shut, and a hot tear traced down her cheek.


    She slipped back into unconsciousness.


    Outside, night had fully settled in.


    It was 7:30 p.m. in ra, Ghana.


    Ste checked Briony''s temperature again—finally normal. She exhaled, her relief tinged with helplessness.


    All this physical and emotional strain, and now, with Briony''s pregnancy making her even more sensitive, how could she not copse?


    Knock, knock.


    Someone rapped on the door.


    Ste got up, peeked through the peephole, and then opened it.


    Cedric rke stood outside, holding a takeout box. "Dinner," he said.


    Ste took the box from him, ncing up and down the hallway. "Where''s Stewart?"


    Cedric shrugged. "No idea. Didn''t see him at dinner, so I just ate downstairs and grabbed something for you."


    He paused, then asked, "How is she?"


    "She woke up from a nightmare and fell back asleep," Ste replied wearily. Looking at Cedric, she grew serious, her brows furrowed. "Dr. rke, please— when Stewart gets back, you have to make sure he ends thingspletely with Bryn. She''s suffered enough. Her heart is too heavy... she can''t keep carrying the weight of this broken marriage."


    Cedric nodded solemnly. "I promise."


    ...


    That night, Briony''s fever didn''t return.


    Ste kept vigil by her side until well past midnight, only allowing herself a brief nap when she was sure Briony was stable.


    At dawn, sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, filling the room with gentle warmth.


    Ghana was every bit the tropical country it was rumored to be. This time of year, the capital-ra-hovered around 80 degrees during the day. The hotel overlooked the sea, and the sound of waves and gulls drifted through the window left slightly ajar.


    Briony slowly opened her eyes.


    The sickness seemed to have finally passed. She turned her head, spotting Ste asleep on the other bed.


    After a moment, Briony pushed herself up, sitting on the edge of the mattress.


    That''s when someone knocked at the door.


    Briony was about to throw back the covers when Ste startled awake.


    Seeing Briony awake and about to get out of bed, Ste rushed over. "Don''t move! I''ll get it!"


    She was already out of bed, slipping on her slippers and hurrying to answer the door.


    On the other side, Stewart and Cedric rke stood shoulder to shoulder.


    "How is she?" Stewart asked, his voice low.


    Ste nced back at Briony.


    Briony had heard Stewart''s question. She nodded to Ste.


    Ste turned back. "She just woke up. Looks much better. What do you need her for?"


    "Tell her to get ready ande downstairs. I''ll be waiting," Stewart replied, his tone t.


    Ste pressed, "Where are you taking her? What''s going on?"


    Stewart''s eyes flicked away. "She''ll find out when we get there."