The next morning, Briony set out early for the Wentworth family cemetery.

The last time she'd visited, the groundskeeper had already known who she was. This time, too, he simply nodded and let her through without a word.

Carrying two large bags, Briony made her way to her son's grave.

But when she reached the spot, her heart stopped-her son's headstone was gone.

She was certain this was the right place.

She remembered it so clearly-it was right next to Grandpa Wentworth's grave.

But now, there was nothing there. No headstone. Not even a mark on the grass.

For a moment, Briony thought maybe she'd gotten it wrong.

Setting her bags down, she pulled out her phone and called Cedric Clarke.

"Dr. Clarke, I'm at the Wentworth family cemetery," she said.

Cedric sounded startled. "You're at the family cemetery?"

"Yes," Briony replied, her voice quiet. "I plan to leave Northborough soon. Before I go, I wanted to visit my son one last time, but...I can't find his headstone."

There was a pause on the other end. "Maybe you should call Stewart and ask him directly," Cedric suggested after a moment.

Briony frowned at the hesitation in his voice. "Alright."

up and, with a deep breath, pulled Stewart's number out of

several times before

came his

Briony's anger simmered beneath the surface,

a

right now?" Stewart asked

the Wentworth

Then: "Our

voice shook with rage and grief.

these games? Why can't you let him rest

misunderstood," Stewart said, his voice grave. "I mean...the child buried there-it was never our

Briony froze.

you talking

I didn't expect you

you've found out, come to Sunset Ridge Villas.

her phone. "What does that mean? Stewart, what are you

alive, and he's safe." Briony's vision blurred. Her

He's alive.

Her son is alive.

Alive-truly, miraculously alive.

down her cheeks, Briony turned and ran down the hillside, barely aware of

scrambled into her car, hands trembling as she turned the key in the ignition, and

a red light, but somehow, she made it there

brakes, she parked outside the gates and

staff seemed to be expecting her. As she rushed

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