Briony pressed her lips together, not in the mood to deal with Stewart right now.

Still, she had to admit-if Stewart hadn't helped, Stella wouldn't have been rescued from Garry so quickly.

Stewart stopped right in front of her, dark eyes fixed on her face. "Why aren't you going in?"

"It doesn't make any difference if I wait here," Briony replied quietly.

"Is it because you saw me?"

Briony said nothing.

Stewart didn't press further, just gave a faint, wry smile. "Stella's a fighter-she wants to live. You don't have to worry too much. I'll get going."

With that, he stepped past Briony and walked away.

She didn't acknowledge him, but his words settled her nerves a little.

As long as Stella survived, that was all that mattered.

***

The surgery dragged on until eight that evening.

Finally, the lead surgeon emerged and announced that the operation had been a

success.

At the news, Scarlett and Ableson broke down in each other's arms, weeping with relief.

Cedric Clarke hugged the surgeon, barely able to contain his excitement. He kept thanking him again and again.

Briony, however, kept her distance.

afar, tears slipping down her

head was wrapped in thick bandages

now lying quietly and motionless

out and hold her-but she couldn't bring herself to take a

tried to encourage her. "Why don't you go

through enough, I don't want to upset

a sigh. “I can tell you're blaming yourself. But none of this was your

Briony didn't respond.

was transferred to the intensive

had gone well, but the surgeon warned that it might be several days before Stella woke

Scarlett barely left the hospital. Briony called Cedric Clarke every

resigned from Lockwood Hospital and taken a position at Horizon Health

Hospital had been thrown into chaos after

only joined Lockwood in the

after everything Quentin had done to Stella, there was no way she

fresh and dry, and summer warmth crept into

bright, sunlit morning, Stella finally woke

had passed since her

timing was almost

Scarlett had stayed by Stella's side around the clock, but just the

about passing anything to Stella, Scarlett went home to recover, with Ableson insisting

Clarke to

first person she saw was Cedric. And then, something even stranger

lost

forgotten everyone-except the man she saw when

up, Scarlett and Ableson rushed straight to

sick, wore a surgical mask and stood in the doorway, afraid

in, standing by the bed and greeting her softly. "Star, it's

barely reacted. Her bright,

adoring look she gave Cedric made Ableson

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

Comments ()

0/255