Stewart had pulled stunts like this more times than anyone could count over the past five years.

Briony turned to Irwin and said, "Call your mom."

Irwin mumbled an "Okay," and dialed Rosita.

No answer.

"Neither of them is picking up!" James snorted in disgust. "Bet they're off together, up to no good."

Briony's expression turned cold as she glanced toward the river, where sky lanterns were starting to drift upward. Worry gnawed at her.

James, guessing she was thinking about Julia and wanting to go release a lantern for her, offered, "Why don't you go on ahead with Hannah and the others? I'll stay here with him and wait for Stewart."

Briony shot him a grateful look. "Thank you."

"Oh, don't get all sentimental," James said, tugging Irwin gently by the arm. "Go on, before the crowd gets too thick and you can't get through."

He was right—as the evening wore on, the riverside would get packed, and it wasn't safe for her, not while she was pregnant.

Briony left with Hannah and the others to join the crowd by the river and release their lanterns.

She didn't look back at Irwin-not even once. She didn't take the lantern he'd bought for her, either.

Irwin stared at the little lantern in James's hand, feeling a pang of disappointment.

made the lantern herself, and both

year, his dad had gone off

had left him behind, choosing

lantern in his

fell,

was always so well-behaved, so

his mom really have a baby on

if she did, would

...

was packed,

watched it drift upward, glowing against the night sky until

"Briony, Ms. Hudson will see it. She'll know you're doing well now, and

steadying breath. "The crowd's getting bigger. Let's head

"Sure."

and Black's family had arrived too; they said their goodbyes and went

else to be after

crowd thickened, forcing Briony and Hannah to slow

James maneuvered past a cluster of

a worried frown. "It's getting crazy out here we

"We were just about to

keep you safe," James said, stepping to her side

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

Comments ()

0/255