Within a week, the scandal of Mary giving birth overseas faded quickly.

During that time, Starlight Entertainment's new faces took advantage of the situation, grabbing the spotlight and building up a fresh wave of buzz.

Mary's personal drama did impact Starlight's reputation, but the newcomers' momentum all but neutralized it.

Starlight Entertainment remained securely in the industry's top ten.

Since that day, Ferdinand hadn't made another appearance.

Briony assumed he'd be staying in Nortia for a while, what with Mary's pregnancy and everything.

***

By mid-February, the snow in Northborough had finally stopped.

The weather was still bitterly cold.

After work one day, Briony received a text from Mary.

Mary: [Briony, I'm back in the country. Can we meet?]

Briony was caught off guard.

Why would Mary risk flying back while pregnant?

Briony: [If this is about terminating your contract, you can just talk to Bill directly.]

mother's funeral. I'm heading back to Nortia tomorrow, and honestly, I probably won't ever come back after this. I just wanted to see you one last time before

Mary's mother's funeral?

a bit

grown up in a poor rural

steeped in old-fashioned

were born to be sacrificed for the sake of their

reason Mary ever escaped was

scraped together enough money to buy Mary a visa and a plane ticket out-money she'd saved

of that backward, suffocating place.

throwing all her hard-won freedom and career away for a man who never truly

nothing more dangerous than a

she couldn't help

the end, she decided to meet

drove

glanced over at Blair. "Has anyone ever told you that you

do you think I look

"My late husband."

Blair fell silent.

a good look. Why don't you take it

"Ms. Kensington, I... I have scars. I'm not comfortable showing my face in public. Please don't make

Wait for me here and take your time to prepare

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

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