Briony squeezed her hand, shaking her head at her like she was a silly girl.
Carey broke down, sobbing uncontrobly.
When they left Starlight Entertainment, Stewart was the one driving.
Briony sat in the back, her body weak, leaning into the seat.
Stewart nced at her in the rearview mirror. "Are you feeling sick?"
Briony shook her head, gazing out the window at the passing city. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Stewart, I feel like I haven''t really looked at this city in so long. Could you drive me around for a bit?"
Stewart''s hands tightened almost imperceptibly on the steering wheel.
He lowered hisshes and answered softly, "Of course."
The ck Bentley wound its way down the city boulevard.
They drove past the bustling heart of downtown, the streets painted in neon andughter.
Then they slipped into the university district, lined with rows of golden-leaved trees.
The tires crunched over a carpet of fallen leaves, sending them swirling into the air-little sprites in golden cloaks, dancing on the autumn wind. The car''s shadow stretched behind them, drifting farther and farther away, until those golden leaves fluttered back to earth.
A sparrow swooped down from a nearby branch, snatching up a leaf before taking off again.
Autumn had arrived. And with it, winter couldn''t be far behind.
...
By the edge of Pearbrook, the ck Bentley came to a stop.
The setting sun had painted the sky in brilliant crimson.
Inside the car, Briony sat with her eyes closed.
Stewart turned, his voice gentle as he called, "Bryn."
Briony slowly opened her eyes.
"We''re at Pearbrook," Stewart said softly.
Briony rolled down the window.
A breeze off the water drifted in, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers-a fragrance that soothed the heart.
She gazed at the sky, where thest rays of red lingered on the horizon.
The sunset painted a flush of color across her pale, fragile face, lending her a fleeting vitality.
The back door opened and Briony stepped out.
Stewart hurriedly unbuckled and followed after her.
A whole row of flowering trees lined the riverbank.
The water shimmered, petals drifting down in twos and threes.
Briony walked ahead, Stewart quietly trailing behind.
After a short distance, Briony''s breath grew heavier, her steps faltering under the weight of exhaustion.
She lowered herself onto an empty bench.
Stewart sat down beside her, unscrewed the top from a thermos, and handed it
over.
Briony took it, sipped the warm water, and felt her breathing ease.
She handed the thermos back to Stewart, who reced the lid.
"Stewart, do you remember what you said, about wanting your ashes scattered here in Pearbrook someday?"
Stewart froze.
He turned to look at her, startled.
"Pearbrook is beautiful, but I don''t want to rest here forever," Briony said, offering him a faint smile. "If don''t make it through this, please find a peaceful ce for
me somewhere with good energy. Somewhere that will protect our children, keep them safe and healthy for a long, long life."
"Bryn," Stewart''s voice was strained, his throat tight, "don''t talk like that..."
"Everyone dies eventually, Stewart. I''ll fight as hard as I can, but if I''m not around, I''ll always feel like I let our children down. I want to do what I can to make it up to them. You''ve given us more than enough, I never have to worry about money. But as for being there..."
Briony trailed off, taking a deeper breath, her voice dropping even further.
"Time goes by so quickly. In the blink of an eye, the twins are almost five."
She lifted a hand, pointing to a spot not far away. "I remember, years ago, I stood right there and watched a woman ying with her little child-maybe two, three years old. That moment hit me hard. It was then I finally decided to keep the twins."
Stewart just stared at her, lost in the memory.
Briony turned to him, her tone
gentle. "Stewart, I want so much to watch them grow up, to see them find love, build their own families.
Pet
want to know what it''s like to be surrounded by grandchildren But I don''t think I''ll get to have that. At least they''ll always have you-so long as you''re here, they''ll always have a home."
Stewart''s eyes shone red at the corners. "Bryn, please, don''t..."
Briony turned away, her voice barely audible, carried off by the wind. "Stewart,
you''ll live a long life. Look out for our children-for both of us."
His voice broke. "Bryn, stop-don''t say that. You''re going to live, too..."
Briony lowered her gaze and gave a small, wistful smile. "Life is long. I won''t ask you to spend it alone for the children''s sake. You''ve been lonely enough. If, someday, you meet someone new and even have more children, I''ll wish you all the happiness in the world. You can love your new partner and children as much as you want-just promise me one thing. Don''t take away what our twins have now-their home, theirfort, their share of your love. Don''t divide it."
She looked at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Can you promise me that?"
Stewart couldn''t hold back anymore. He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
She was so thin, her body barely filling the space against his chest. He was afraid to hold her too tightly. "I won''t marry again. I''ll never have any other children. Bryn, you have to survive this. Everyone is still fighting. Please please don''t give up. Stay alive, Bryn. Please, just stay."
Briony let him hold her, making no effort to pull away.
She closed her eyes. A single tear slipped down her cheek.
Blood began to trickle from her nose, staining the cor of Stewart''s white shirt.
"Bryn! Bryn?!"
Briony didn''t answer.
Stewart scooped her up and ran for the Bentley.
The sun set behind the hills, dragging night down with it.
A cold wind swept over the riverbank, sending petals tumbling from the trees.
ck dress shoes pounded the ground; drops of blood fell, staining the fallen blossoms red.