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.

this?" James bent to pick a folded sheet of paper off the floor, frowning. "An ultrasound report?

heart skipped. She pushed herself

hand and stood, scanning

few seconds later, he turned to

gaze, her own brows pinched. "Don't

you and Stewart are getting divorced!" James stared at her in disbelief. "Are you planning

procedure scheduled for

James blinked. "A procedure...?"

to take the report from his hand, her voice barely above a whisper. "An

James was silent.

into her bag and headed for the

crate. As soon as it saw her, it leapt up, tail

smiled and let the puppy

to her, rubbing its head against her hand, tail swishing

over, watching her play with

silence, he finally asked, "Does

puppy, not looking up. "He doesn't need to." James pressed his lips

a dog bed or any food yet, right?"

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