"You should go." Briony took a step back, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "Stewart, Little Nina's got real musical talent. If she's ever interested in learning, you can ask my godmother to find her a good teacher. And little Mario-he's always building with Legos and solving Rubik's cubes. He's sharp, focused. If he wants, you should encourage him..."

"Bryn." Stewart cut her off, his tear-filled gaze locked on her. "Don't say these things. Don't talk like you're saying goodbye."

Briony managed a faint smile. “I just want to be prepared. Just in case."

"There is no 'just in case."" Stewart took her face in his hands, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I respect your choice, but trust me and the whole team-we'll keep you safe. Wait for us to bring you home."

Briony blinked, startled, as a loud knocking sounded behind her.

"Briony, are you alright? You didn't faint in there, did you?" Mary's voice rang out, anxious and a little shrill. Gifford must be getting suspicious.

Stewart quickly pulled on a mask, cast Briony one last, lingering look, and with two long strides, disappeared up into the attic.

His footsteps thudded rapidly overhead.

Briony waited a moment, composing herself, before turning to open the door.

Outside, Mary stood with two other staff members-and Gifford, watching her closely.

Briony swayed unsteadily.

her. "You look

a show for Gifford, but before she could act,

One drop. Then another.

streamed suddenly from her

gasped, eyes wide with horror. "Oh my God,

some tissues, pressing them to Briony's

instantly,

Ms. Kensington is having a crisis -get her back to

and

unconscious body into his

to Briony's bleeding nose as

Ferdinand on edge for an

In the end, Ferdinand could

a week, visibly

her mother's suffering. Every night became a nightmare, and she woke up crying, night

when she finally

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