Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony froze for a moment, then said quickly, "I'll call Dr. Clarke and have the driver take you to the hospital."

"Okay."

"Don't forget your hospital bag. I'll head straight there and meet you."

"Alright, we will!"

After hanging up, Briony swung her car around and sped toward Clarke Hospital.

Rain was pouring down, and traffic snarled at every intersection. As soon as she finished calling Cedric Clarke, Briony, still uneasy, dialed Marlene.

Marlene picked up almost immediately, saying they were already on their way to the hospital.

In the background, Briony could hear Mary's cries of pain.

"Put me on speaker," Briony urged, trying to soothe Mary as she navigated the slick city streets.

By the time Briony reached the hospital, she parked in a rush and hurried straight to maternity.

Mary had already been wheeled into the delivery room. Cedric Clarke stood just outside, his face taut with worry. Marlene was nearby, a few flecks of blood still staining her sleeve.

"How is she?" Briony asked, breathless.

Cedric's expression was grave. "She's had some bleeding. Director Charles is in there with her now, checking everything over. We don't know any more yet."

looked at Cedric. "All the checkups

delivery with a second-degree tear, but you got her here just in time. It's a girl-six pounds, three ounces. The baby swallowed some fluid, so she's been taken to the neonatal unit for observation. The mom's being stitched up-if she's stable after two

let out

later, Mary was moved from recovery to

her room. As soon as she opened her eyes and saw

a strand of hair from Mary's pale face. "You did great. The baby swallowed a bit of fluid and needs a few days in the NICU, but don't worry-Dr. Clarke

didn't hear her cry..." Mary's eyes grew misty. "Briony, I think I just

"Mary, you're exhausted. Why don't you try to sleep?" Mary shook her head, insistent. "I'm not

understood-Mary's emotions, held back for so long, had

said he wanted a daughter," Mary whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Briony, if he were still alive...

her, not at

eagerly, eyes shining through her tears. "Let me see

"Look-she's so fair, with those big, beautiful eyes. Six pounds, three

expression twisting with pain. Suddenly

cough and grew alarmed. "Mary? Are

just " Mary tried to speak, but a crushing tightness in her chest left

desperate to say

for her nickname, just Lori...'

terribly wrong, Briony slammed her hand against the nurse

nurses and doctors rushed

fluid embolism! We need to get