When Briony arrived at the hospital, she had just stepped into the elevator when footsteps echoed behind her.

Catching the movement in the polished reflection of the elevator wall, Briony saw Stewart approaching.

She pressed her lips together and ignored him.

Stewart entered the elevator, gave her a cool glance, and then moved to stand behind her.

A moment later, six or seven more people squeezed in, making the small space instantly crowded.

A plump woman in front shuffled closer, forcing Briony to take a few steps back.

Her back was now almost-though not quite-touching Stewart's broad, solid chest.

He stood a full head taller than her, and she could faintly catch that familiar, subtle hint of mint on his skin.

Unbidden, memories flickered through her mind.

She recalled the past five years: tying his tie for him in the mornings like any dutiful wife as he got ready for work; and how, like any ordinary husband, he'd wrap an arm around her waist and press a soft kiss to her lips before leaving...

Looking back now, the whole routine felt painfully ironic.

focus on the

floor, the doors

Stewart didn't follow. He stayed where he was, watching her as she

down the hallway,

...

head home and get some rest-she could come

long after Gina left,

break room, closed the door, and lowered their voices to discuss the latest online

a long statement backing you up," Stella said. "But honestly, I doubt she wrote it herself. Feels like she hired a

Facebook and found the

scanned it,

Not bad, she thought.

those vague, wishy-washy comments she made before? They looked supportive on the surface,

went up, all the gossip about you and Ms. Hudson vanished. Even the

guess is Stewart,"

"Wait, he

him," Briony replied, her

gaped at her, shocked. "Girl, spill! How did you pull

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