Briony fixed her gaze on Ferdinand. "No mother could ever truly abandon her own child. Ferdinand, you created this child for one reason to break down my defenses, to use my heart against me. If something happens to this baby, then there''s truly nothing left between us."
Ferdinand pressed his lips into a thin line, studying Briony intently.
He was weighing how much of her words were sincere.
Mary''s pained cry broke the silence. Atst, Ferdinand spoke, his voice cold: "Gifford, pull over somewhere secluded."
Gifford frowned, uneasy. "Mr. Ellsworth, we should get to the docks as fast as possible. They''ll be expecting us, and every minute we dy puts us at greater risk."
Ferdinand''s patience was gone. “I won''t repeat myself."
Gifford gritted his teeth, the wound on his thigh throbbing. He knew well enough that when Ferdinand lost it, he was capable of anything.
"Mr. Ellsworth, I hope you don''t regret this."
With a heavy sigh, Gifford steered the SUV off the road, weaving through the trees until they came to a stop in the shelter of the woods.
Ferdinand immediately unzipped a small medical kit andid out the acupuncture needles.
Gifford slid out of the car and mbered onto the roof to keep watch.
Inside, only the three of them remained.
Briony reached over, tearing open a sterile alcohol wipe and handing it to Ferdinand.
He hadn''t expected her to help.
He took the wipe, ncing up at her.
Briony''s tone was cool. "What are you looking at me for? The babyes first."
Without another word, Ferdinand bent his head and began the procedure.
Briony slumped against the car door, exhaustion written all over her face.
Mary sat hunched, stealing anxious nces at Briony, who kept her eyes shut and looked utterly defeated.
Mary''s heart twisted with anxiety.
Does Briony understand what I''m trying to do?
After five tense minutes, Mary''s pain finally eased.
Ferdinand packed away the medical kit. "How do you feel now?"
"Much better," Mary said, then hesitated. "But, um... I really need to use the restroom..."
She looked at Ferdinand, embarrassed. "Ever since my belly got this big, I just can''t hold it..."
A flicker of irritation crossed Ferdinand''s face, his gaze sharp as he stared at her.
"Mary, don''t try to y games with me."
"I''m not! I really can''t hold it
anymore. Tears spilled over as she
pleaded, "Ferdinand, you can''t
seriously expect me to wet myself,
can you?"
Ferdinand''s expression darkened.
Briony spoke up. "She''s in this state because she''s carrying your child, Ferdinand. Don''t be so cruel."
He turned to her, voice tight. "Bryn, we''re on the run here!"
"Even fugitives have to go to the bathroom," Briony shot back. "What are you afraid of? We''re in the middle of howhere, and you can have Gifford keep watch. She''s heavily pregnant-where could she possibly go? Besides, she loves you. Do you really think she''d run?"
Something in her words made Ferdinand pause.
"Ferdinand, I won''t run," Mary whispered. "If you''re worried,
Gifford tie me up. I really can et anymore..." Content belongh
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she clutched her belly, looking utterly
wretched.
Ferdinand waved his hand dismissively. "Go."
"Thank you! I''ll be quick!"
Mary hurriedly pushed open the car door.
Gifford, alert on the roof, jumped down to block her path.
"I really need to go," Mary pleaded.
Gifford shot Ferdinand a questioning look.
Ferdinand''s voice was t. "Watch her. Don''t let her out of your sight."
Gifford nodded. "Understood."
He trailed after Mary as she made her way to a patch of tall grass not far from the car, crouching down atst.
Gifford kept his distance-close enough to intervene if she tried anything, but far enough to give a shred of privacy.
Mary behaved herself, finishing quickly and shuffling back, still cradling her belly, her face streaked with tears.
Gifford watched her approach, his brow furrowing as he took in the pitiful sight.
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