Briony stared blankly at her mother, uncertain she'd heard her right.

What was her mother saying?

Lauren had stolen her husband?

Julia's eyes drifted closed, tears slipping from the corners.

She kept murmuring, voice trembling, "Bryn, I'm sorry... I've failed you. I've failed you, sweetheart..."

Briony knelt beside her and gently wiped away her mother's tears.

Her own eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice catching. "Mom, I'm here. Don't worry, I promise we'll be okay. Things will get better from now on."

Julia's face twisted with pain. "Bryn, I'm so angry. My whole life, I've been a failure. Why did Lauren have to be my daughter? Why her... why..."

Her words faded to nothing, exhaustion overtaking her.

Briony watched her mother drift into sleep, silent tears streaming down her face.

The gray streaks in Julia's hair, the deep lines at the corners of her eyes-five years in prison, four years missing. Nine years had ground her down, leaving her looking decades older than her forty-something years. Now, she looked closer to seventy than forty.

All her life, Julia had known nothing but suffering.

Briony squeezed her mother's hand. "Rest now, Mom. From here on, I'll be by your side. I won't let you suffer anymore."

Ferdinand and Gina stood at the foot of the bed, their faces heavy with sorrow.

for some time. The adults were so focused on Julia, they

into the

"Mommy...?"

and taking a

with red as she

her daughter was there she didn't even know if Julia's episode

Grandma's just sick,

her tiny hand and gently

her lips together, forcing

"It's okay to cry, Mommy.

laughter and tears at her daughter's wisdom. "Mommy's just sad

wrapped her arms around Briony's neck, patting her

be here for you and Grandma. Don't worry-Dr.

hugged her daughter close, burying her face in the warm, sweet-smelling

nodded firmly. "I'm not afraid. With you here, Mommy's not afraid of

...

relapse when she woke, the adults couldn't spare

her age, but she was still only four. Briony didn't want

arrived before Julia

watch over Nina,

Julia had

your dad, and Rosita stole your husband?!" Briony

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