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

looked at him, her mind slowly clearing from

This was Southcreek Manor.

how had she

hands against the mattress, pushing herself upright, and rubbed her aching

down to the river, maybe even climbed over the

that

you crying?" Irwin reached up and touched her damp cheek. "You were crying in your sleep, too. You

Briony gazed at him.

concern in his young eyes

frowned in worry, there was something in

Rosita, a wave of

off the covers, and swung

over her; her

to stay here a

Briony shuffled out of the master bedroom

"Mommy!"

after her, grabbing her hand. “Are you leaving

pulling her hand free, her voice cold. "Irwin, don't

Irwin froze.

another glance and headed for

soon as she reached the ground floor, she nearly collided with Stewart,

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