The moment Briony heard it was Ferdinand, she knew this project was doomed.


    Nothing ever worked out that conveniently.


    She stopped pushing for it.


    But when Garfield heard she was about to give up, he added, "Actually, Mr. Ellsworth mentioned that if Ms. Kensington is open to coboration, he''d be willing to work together too."


    "Sorry, I''m not interested," Briony replied, then hung up without hesitation.


    Her business trip to Havenport had turned out to be aplete waste.


    On the third day, Briony packed up Carey and the others and headed back to Northborough.


    As soon as she stepped out of the airport, her phone rang. It was James.


    Little Nina hade down with a fever.


    The moment Briony heard their daughter was sick, she told ir to drive straight back to Skybreeze Retreat.


    ir was always a careful driver, but today he pressed the pedal harder than usual.


    Briony, sitting in the backseat, watched the brim of ir''s baseball cap as she said, "Slow down a bit. Safety first."


    ir gripped the wheel tighter and nodded, "Alright."


    After that, he eased up and drove much more steadily.


    When they finally arrived at Skybreeze Retreat, Briony pushed open the car door and hurried inside.


    ir got out and followed close behind.


    Inside, Briony immediately spotted James holding Little Nina in his arms.


    Little Nina had a fever patch on her forehead, her cheeks flushed red, her whole body limp and listless.


    Briony''s heart ached for her.


    "Little Nina, Mommy''s here," she said softly, reaching out to take her daughter from James.


    "Mommy." Little Nina''s voice was hoarse and weak as she whimpered, "Mommy, it hurts."


    She pointed at her mouth.


    Briony understood-her throat hurt.


    "She snuck a few cookies yesterday.


    Lucky caught her, and I scolded her


    a little. She got upset," James


    exined with a mixture of helplessness and concern. "She must have eaten too many and now her throat''s inmed."


    Briony touched her daughter''s cheek; the fever was definitely high.


    Ever since Ferdinand had helped nurse Little Nina back to health, she rarely got sick anymore.


    But seeing him again wasn''t an option now.


    "We should take her to the hospital," Briony said quickly.


    "I''ll go start the car," James replied.


    "I can drive Ms. Kensington," ir offered from the doorway.


    Briony only now realized ir hade inside as well.


    She looked at him, paused, then said to James, "Let ir take us."


    James shrugged. Having a driver on hand was convenient-why not use him?


    ***


    On the way to the hospital, ir''s driving skills shone through. The trip from Skybreeze Retreat usually took fifteen minutes, but ir managed to shave it down to less than ten.


    Once they arrived, Briony and James hurried Little Nina inside to see the doctor. ir followed, his expression unreadable.


    He watched as James and Briony took Little Nina into the elevator, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number.


    ***


    Briony and James had barely reached the pediatric department when Cedric rke showed up.


    "Is Little Nina sick?"


    Briony nced at Cedric in surprise. "How did you know we were here?"


    "I was just talking with Dr. Jarvis nother patient. I saw you as I "Cedric replied, the


    about


    was


    asked, "Are you checked


    in


    "Yeah," James answered, "but there are still several people ahead of us."


    Cedric said, "Come with me. I''ll take you to Dr. Jarvis."


    With Little Nina burning up, Briony didn''t waste time arguing.


    Thanks to Cedric''s help, they were able to see the doctor right away.


    After an examination, the diagnosis came: bronchial pneumonia. Little Nina would have to be admitted to the hospital.