Briony had a dream.

In it, she was sharing a holiday dinner with her mother.

Her mother smiled and praised her cooking.

Briony laughed, but tears slipped down her cheeks.

"Mom..."

Sprawled across the big bed, Briony's brow furrowed as her tears soaked the pillow beneath her.

She murmured restlessly, clutching the front of her nightshirt in pain, her suffering almost unbearable.

In her dream, her mother said she was tired, and from now on, Briony would have to walk her own path alone.

Briony begged her not to leave, but her mother only faded away into the mist that drifted across the river. No matter how desperately Briony called, she never appeared again.

"Mom!"

Briony jolted awake.

For a moment, as she stared up at the familiar ceiling, the world felt strange and distant.

"Mommy!"

At the foot of the bed, Irwin abandoned his toys and scrambled over to her side.

a bad dream,

looked at him, her mind slowly clearing from

This was Southcreek Manor.

had she

the mattress, pushing herself

recall-she'd gone down to the river, maybe even climbed over the

that

are you crying?" Irwin reached up and touched her damp cheek.

Briony gazed at him.

his young eyes

something in the set of his brows that reminded

the thought of Rosita, a wave of rejection-almost

off the covers, and

over her; her body felt weak and

she couldn't stand to stay

out of the master bedroom and made her way

"Mommy!"

grabbing her hand. “Are

at him, pulling her hand free, her voice cold. "Irwin,

Irwin froze.

glance and headed for

soon as she reached the ground floor,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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