January 10th. The snow in Northborough, which had been falling nonstop for over two weeks, finally let up.

The city lay blanketed in white, and the air brimmed with the anticipation of the holidays.

The doctor had good news-Briony was finally ready to leave isolation.

The bone marrow transplant had been a resounding success. Throughout the entire treatment, Briony had shown incredible strength, cooperating wholeheartedly with the doctors and nurses. The results were even better than anyone had hoped.

She'd managed to avoid all the typical complications leukemia patients usually faced.

Cedric Clarke and the team of specialists were both relieved and amazed.

At ten o'clock that morning, Briony officially left the isolation ward. A nurse wheeled her across the snowy courtyard to the small recovery wing.

She still needed several more weeks of careful observation and rehabilitation in the annex, but if all went well, she'd be discharged in time to spend New Year's Eve at home with her family and friends.

Her loved ones had gathered in the small building, waiting for her with barely contained excitement.

After more than twenty days apart, seeing each other again felt utterly surreal.

Briony was still thin, and her skin had darkened a little—a minor side effect from the transplant, which would fade in time. Her once waist-length hair had been cut to her collarbone, and she wore a black knit hat pulled low over her ears.

Stella was the first to rush over, throwing her arms around Briony with tears streaming down her face. "I told you, Bryn! Good people like you-God just has to watch over them."

friend's back gently. "Come on now, everyone's

the rest of them weren't holding

the men wore watery smiles

waited for this day

shaft of sunlight broke through the thick winter clouds, illuminating

through, it felt as if even the heavens

"Mommy!"

"Mommy!"

two young children called

the other cradling their daughter. The three of them made their way across the snowy

quietly stepped aside, giving Briony

forward and put

embrace. These days, they were more used to arguments than peaceful moments like

separation-the family of four was finally together

the significance of the moment. No one dared disturb

in front of Briony, his dark

to visit, but only through a glass

didn't always know he was there. She'd slept through much of her treatment, too exhausted to eat or speak,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255