Briony had left everything in the lawyer's hands.
Of course, she hoped things would go smoothly in court. But even with Mr.
Chadwick's handpicked attorney on their side, she knew there was no guarantee
of victory.
What kept her up at night, though, was the thought of losing Little Nina.
She couldn't shake Stewart's words from the other day. No matter what, she
would never give up custody of Little Nina. But if Stewart really wanted to fight her for their daughter...
Her phone's ringtone jolted her out of her anxious thoughts.
She glanced at the screen.
An unknown number.
Briony had long since stopped answering calls from numbers she didn't
recognize. She declined it without a second thought.
She set her phone aside and rolled over, hoping for a few more precious minutes of sleep. The past week had been a blur of hospital corridors and late nights by her mother's side; she was running on fumes.
But the call came again, more insistent this time.
Annoyed, Briony answered, "Who is this?"
"It's me." Garry Ferguson's voice filtered through the line.
a cold, mocking laugh. "Mr.
ceases
changed everything four years ago—her name, her papers, even her phone number. Yet somehow,
wasn't sick, I wouldn't have bothered
heart softened immediately. Little Mario was
asked, "How is he
having trouble adjusting to the climate here. He's thrown up three times since this morning and has a slight fever." Garry hesitated, then added, "I took him to the clinic
the time-already half past three. "Little
two kids had been playing together the other night. With a sigh, Briony relented, "Alright, bring
Briony splashed her face with cold water and changed clothes before
and Gwendolyn White were chatting over tea in the living
her, James asked, "Heading out to pick up Little
about
getting up. "I've got nothing better to do.
go."
bringing little Mario over. The poor
sick?" Gwendolyn looked concerned. "Is
Ellsworth checked
to the
"That's a relief. If it were a cold, he shouldn't come over. We can't risk Little Nina
smile. "Don't worry,
careful
said, "Go pick up ttle Nina. I'll handle
him and
3:50 p.m.
pulled up in front of Little Dreamers
out to open
a black shirt without a tie, long legs clad in tailored slacks. The evening sun washed
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