"Dr. rke''s friend?" Ste instantly frowned. "Wait, do you have feelings for Dr. rke?"


    As soon as she spoke, she shot a re at Cedric rke.


    Cedric looked momentarily speechless.


    Briony, watching Ste turn into a little ball of jealousy, couldn''t help butugh and cry at the same time. "Dr. rke and I are just friends. I''m already married, and expecting a baby, actually. You really don''t need to worry about me trying to steal him from you."


    "Oh." Ste finally rxed, and her face broke into a carefree smile as she looked Briony up and down. "You''re so pretty! But are you one of those people who just cry at the drop of a hat? This is the first time we''ve met, and you''re crying so much you''re scaring me..."


    Briony gave a helpless little smile, dabbing at her tears. "Maybe I''m just extra emotional because I''m pregnant. And seeing such a sweet, beautiful girl like you -without any hair-made me a little sad."


    "Hey!" Ste clutched her pink wool hat and scowled, half embarrassed, half annoyed. "How can someone as gorgeous as you say something that hits so close to home?"


    Briony couldn''t help butugh at Ste''s adorable reaction.


    The more sheughed, though, the more her tears kept flowing.


    Watching Briony''s tears keep falling, Ste felt a strange ache in her chest.


    "Hey, stop crying, will you?" Ste fished around in the pocket of her hospital gown and pulled out a tissue, handing it over. "Here, dry your eyes."


    "Thank you." Briony took the tissue gratefully.


    "Seriously, if you keep crying like this, I''m going to start thinking my time''s almost up or something."


    "You''re going to live a long, happy life!" Briony said, her tone full of conviction. "You''re so sweet and kind-God''s definitely going to watch over you."


    Ste grinned. "Then maybe He''ll bless me and Cedric with a lifetime of happiness together!"


    Briony was momentarily at a loss for words.


    She nced at Cedric, then back at Ste, honestly a little surprised by how head-over-heels Ste seemed for him.


    The change in her was astonishing.


    Briony looked at Cedric, then at Ste again. "Can I give you a hug?"


    "Of course!" Ste opened her arms wide,pletely unabashed. "Come here-if


    a prettydy wants to hug me, who am I to say no?"


    Briony walked over and wrapped Ste in a gentle embrace.


    Ste hugged her back, holding her tightly.


    "Star, I have to go now," Briony whispered.


    Ste''s heart clenched.


    She didn''t know why, but her eyes suddenly felt hot.


    Before she could react, Briony had already let go, turning and walking away


    without looking back.


    Ste watched her retreating figure grow smaller and smaller.


    And for some reason, tears started streaming down her own cheeks.


    Staring at Briony''s slender silhouette, she frowned, confused. "Why do I suddenly feel so sad?"


    Cedric looked down at her, his expression somber.


    The day Briony left Northborough dawned bright and clear.


    She and James left Skybreeze Retreat, headed for the airport, checked in, made


    it through security, and boarded their flight-everything went off without a hitch.


    As the ne soared into the sky, Brionyid a hand on her belly, feeling a deep calm settle in her heart.


    At the same time, Stewart received a phone call from Carl.


    "Mr. Wentworth, we found something. There are prenatal records for Ms. Kensington at VitaCare Hospital."


    Stewart''s hand tightened around his phone.


    He wasn''t exactly surprised by the result.


    Carl continued, "I''ve just sent you Ms. Kensington''s medical report."


    After the call, Stewart opened his email.


    When his eyesnded on the words "twins" in the report, he froze, momentarily stunned.