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.
then let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Mr.
ceases to
everything four years ago—her name, her papers, even her phone
I
immediately. Little Mario
asked, "How
He's thrown up three times since this morning and has a slight fever." Garry hesitated, then added, "I took him to the clinic you recommended. Dr. Ellsworth did some
the time-already half past three. "Little Nina's still at
remembered how happy the two kids had been playing together the other night. With a sigh,
with cold water and changed clothes before
Carney Winslow, and Gwendolyn White were
asked, "Heading out to pick up
it's about that
come with you," James said, getting up. "I've
go."
to Carney. "Godfather, Garry's bringing little Mario over. The poor kid's sick and wants to
Gwendolyn looked concerned. "Is it a
a stomach bug. Dr. Ellsworth checked him-it's not contagious,
to the
a cold, he shouldn't come over. We can't
her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry,
always careful about these
pick up ttle Nina. I'll handle things
thanked him and
3:50 p.m.
in
stepped out to open
tailored slacks. The evening sun washed over him, making his
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