"You should go." Briony took a step back, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "Stewart, Little Nina''s got real musical talent. If she''s ever interested in learning, you can ask my godmother to find her a good teacher. And little Mario-he''s always building with Legos and solving Rubik''s cubes. He''s sharp, focused. If he wants, you should encourage him..."
"Bryn." Stewart cut her off, his tear-filled gaze locked on her. "Don''t say these things. Don''t talk like you''re saying goodbye."
Briony managed a faint smile. “I just want to be prepared. Just in case."
"There is no ''just in case."" Stewart took her face in his hands, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I respect your choice, but trust me and the whole team-we''ll keep you safe. Wait for us to bring you home."
Briony blinked, startled, as a loud knocking sounded behind her.
"Briony, are you alright? You didn''t faint in there, did you?" Mary''s voice rang out, anxious and a little shrill. Gifford must be getting suspicious.
Stewart quickly pulled on a mask, cast Briony onest, lingering look, and with two long strides, disappeared up into the attic.
His footsteps thudded rapidly overhead.
Briony waited a moment,posing herself, before turning to open the door.
Outside, Mary stood with two other staff members-and Gifford, watching her closely.
Briony swayed unsteadily.
"Briony!" Mary rushed forward to steady her. "You look awful—are you feeling sick again?"
Briony had meant to put on a show for Gifford, but before she could act, she lowered her head and unexpectedly a bright drop of blood sttered to the floor.
One drop. Then another.
Crimson blood streamed suddenly from her nose, unstoppable.
"Briony!" Mary gasped, eyes wide with horror. "Oh my God, what''s happening?"
A staff member grabbed some tissues, pressing them to Briony''s nose.
But the blood soaked through instantly, faster than they could staunch it.
Gifford''s face changedpletely. "This is bad. Ms. Kensington is having a crisis -get her back to Mr. Ellsworth, now!"
Briony''s vision went ck, and she knew nothing more.
Gifford scooped her unconscious body into his arms and hurried out, Mary
pressing tissues to Briony''s bleeding nose as they rushed away.
Briony''stest episode kept Ferdinand on edge for an entire week.
The acute hemorrhaging from her leukemia was almost impossible to control In the end, Ferdinand could only use every treatment he
had East and Westbined-to try to stabilize her.
She was unconscious for a week, visibly thinner when she finally stirred.
And during those seven days, far away in Cloudcrest City, Little Nina seemed to sense her mother''s
suffering. Every night became a
nightmare, and she woke up crying, night after night.
James spent every evening pacing the house with her in his arms. Even when she finally fell asleep, as soon as he tried toy her down, she''d wake up wailing again.
In the end, James could only keep holding her until dawn, when she''d finally drop off into a deep, exhausted sleep-and only then could he catch a brief nap himself.
By the week''s end, both James and Little Nina were sporting matching dark circles under their eyes.
James''s patience was wearing thin.
While the kids yed in the backyard, he pulled Lorna inside for a private talk.
"Lorna, tell me the truth-how is Bryn, really?" His tone was grim, eyes searching hers.
"I honestly don''t know," Lorna replied, eyeing him up and down. Just one week and he already looked like a roon. At least he was handsome enough to survive it.
Honestly, raising kids could drive anyone insane.
James stepped forward, grabbing her arm, frustration boiling over.
"You don''t know? Or you''re just
afraid to tell me? Lorna, I''m warning you tell me everything you know, or I swear, I''ll hit a woman."
"Oh, a fight?” Lorna yawned, half-lifting hershes to give him azy, mocking smile. "Fine by me-but let''s set the stakes first. If you lose, you''re mine."
James stared, lost for words.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!