Stewart left with Irwin-and took the ragdoll cat Rosita had insisted Briony would love.

The moment the door closed behind them, Briony, who had been holding herself together all this time, finally collapsed.

James caught her just as her legs gave out and gently carried her over to the office couch.

She sank into the cushions, clutching her chest, her breathing ragged and fast, her face as white as a sheet.

It was clear she was having a panic attack, triggered by overwhelming emotion.

James pressed a steady hand to her mouth, calmly guiding her, "You're hyperventilating. Close your mouth and breathe with me. One, two-inhale. That's it. One, two, inhale..."

With James's help, her breath eventually slowed to a normal rhythm.

He went to pour her a glass of warm water and brought it to her lips. "Here, drink a little."

Briony leaned back and sipped the water, and after a few gulps, the tension in her body slowly began to ease.

James grabbed a throw pillow and tucked it behind her back. "Lean on this. You'll feel better."

Briony looked up at him, her pale lips curving in a faint, sincere smile. "Thank you."

The past few days had shown her that while James could be blunt, he was genuinely kind—and surprisingly thoughtful for someone his age.

folded sheet of paper off the floor, frowning.

skipped. She pushed

James dodged her hand and stood, scanning

he turned to her,

met his gaze, her own brows pinched. "Don't

her in disbelief. "Are you planning to raise

a procedure

James blinked. "A procedure...?"

the report from his

James was silent.

slipped the paper back into her bag and headed

retriever puppy was still waiting patiently in its crate. As soon as

let the

dog bounded over to her, rubbing its head

her play with

he finally

"He doesn't need to." James pressed his lips together, falling silent

bed or any food yet, right?" Briony

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