She couldn''t bring herself to say thest few words.


    "Mr. Dney is going to pull through, you have to believe that," Ste said softly, squeezing her hand in reassurance. "And remember, you''ve got two little ones on the way. Try not to get yourself too worked up."


    Briony lowered her gaze, resting her hand gently on her stomach.


    “James took that bullet for me,” she whispered. "The gun was aimed straight at me."


    "Did you see what the shooter looked like?" Ste asked.


    Briony shook her head. "It all happened so fast, and he was wearing a cap and a mask. I couldn''t make out anything about him."


    "Dr. rke already called the police. ording to the security footage, the guy was working for someone he was after you," Ste said, voice tense.


    Briony''s expression hardened. "Someone who can get their hands on a firearm in this country isn''t just some average street criminal."


    Ste lowered her voice. "Do you think it could be... the Kensington family?"


    Briony shook her head. "I don''t know. But honestly, with the way the Kensingtons are these days, I doubt they''d spend that kind of money just to get rid of me. If they really wanted me gone, they wouldn''t have waited until now to make a move."


    "Then could it be Rosita?" Ste ventured.


    Briony frowned, clearly troubled by the thought.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. Dr. Cedric rke stepped in, followed closely by two detectives.


    They were here to ask Briony a few questions.


    One of the detectives exined that, based on surveince footage, the assant had fled the country almost immediately after the incident. This was a nned attack—no question about it—and the shooter had shown serious skill at evading police. It was almost certainly the work of a professional criminal.


    This was no ordinary case. The police had already set up a special task force.


    After the detectives left, Dr. rke looked at Briony with obvious concern. "Ms. Kensington, how are you feeling now?"


    Briony exchanged a nce with Ste, then answered calmly, "I''m all right."


    "She just fainted from the shock, that''s all," Ste said, practically ushering Dr. rke out the door. "You''ve got enough on your te. Go, get back to work- Bryn needs her rest."


    Dr. rke found himself outside, the door shutting with a definitive thud behind him.


    Inside, Ste let out a quiet sigh of relief. She walked over to Briony''s bedside and lowered her voice. "Good thing I was with you when you passed out—I kept an eye on everything, wouldn''t let the nurses interfere. So, your medical record only says you fainted from emotional stress. Dr. rke won''t suspect a thing."


    Briony nodded, her face calm.


    After a moment, she said, "Star, I want to go to Brightspring Mountain."


    Ste was taken aback for a second, then realized what Briony meant.


    She wanted to go to the chapel there and pray for James.


    "Do you want me toe with you?" Ste offered.


    "Stay here and keep an eye on things. I''ll be back soon."


    It made sense-James was still in the ICU, and with his family out of town, it was


    safer to have someone familiar staying at the hospital.


    Ste nodded. “Just promise me you won''t drive. Call a cab, okay?"


    "I will."


    Dr. rke had barely returned to his office when Stewart Irwin showed up.


    Irwin looked exhausted, a cooling patch stuck to his flushed forehead, sickly and limp as he leaned against Stewart''s shoulder.


    "What happened?" Dr. rke hurried over, feeling Irwin''s burning cheek. "He''s got a fever. Did you take him to pediatrics?"


    "We did," Stewart replied. "It''s just a bit of indigestion. The doctor gave us some medicine."


    Dr. rke sighed. "What did you feed him? How did he end up with indigestion?"


    Stewart didn''t answer.


    Lately, Lauren had been looking after Irwin-Stewart''s job kept him too busy to spend much time with his son.


    “Rosita doesn''t have much experience, so you really need to keep a closer eye on things. Don''t let the kid suffer," Dr. rke said, ruffling Irwin''s hair. "He''s looking so thin these days. You know, Briony always took such good care of him."


    Hisment earned him a sharp re from Stewart.


    Dr. rke just shrugged. He wasn''t about to let his friend''s pride get in the way of his opinion today.


    "I''m just saying! You could learn a thing or two from James. When things went south, he didn''t hesitate for a second-took a bullet for Briony, no questions asked. That''s a real man. I have to hand it to him."


    Stewart''s expression changed instantly. "What bullet?" he demanded, his eyes darkening as he stared Dr. rke down. "Exin. Now."