By the time Briony finally made it back to the studio, dawn was already breaking. Utterly exhausted, she changed into pajamas and collapsed into bed, falling

asleep almost instantly.

She had no idea how long she'd been out when a frantic knocking at the door jolted her awake.

Her eyes flew open and she stared at the familiar ceiling, breath coming quick and shallow. It took her a moment to gather her wits.

She'd been dreaming.

In the dream, she was standing above a river of blood, so vivid it made her shudder. Somewhere in the distance, an infant's cries echoed in her ears...

From outside the room, Hannah's voice rang out. "Briony? Are you awake?"

Her lashes fluttered. Briony pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

The room spun as she stood, her body heavy and unsteady.

"Briony? Briony..." Hannah's voice grew more anxious.

"I'm coming," Briony croaked, forcing herself upright and shuffling to the door.

open, Hannah let out a sigh

to death. It's ten o'clock and you

thought something had happened

nothing if not a creature of habit;

she clearly

fine," she rasped,

frowned, giving her a once-over. "You don't look fine.

hand to her forehead. It did feel

few days of rest and I'll be good as

do," Hannah insisted, placing a hand on Briony's forehead. "You've

just take

you don't want to

sure. I just need some

able to stand, Briony retreated to her

nasty flu going around. You really

for the year. Have finance pay everyone's salary in advance— cover twelve months-and give each person a year-end bonus of, say, twenty thousand. We'll start

shock.

had done well this year, but with those numbers,

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