Chapter 20

By the time Briony finally made it back to the studio, dawn was already breaking. Utterly exhausted, she changed into pajamas and collapsed into bed, falling

asleep almost instantly.

She had no idea how long she'd been out when a frantic knocking at the door jolted her awake.

Her eyes flew open and she stared at the familiar ceiling, breath coming quick and shallow. It took her a moment to gather her wits.

She'd been dreaming.

In the dream, she was standing above a river of blood, so vivid it made her shudder. Somewhere in the distance, an infant's cries echoed in her ears...

From outside the room, Hannah's voice rang out. "Briony? Are you awake?"

Her lashes fluttered. Briony pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

The room spun as she stood, her body heavy and unsteady.

"Briony? Briony..." Hannah's voice grew more anxious.

"I'm coming," Briony croaked, forcing herself upright and shuffling to the door.

the door swung open,

you scared me half to death. It's ten

something had happened

was nothing if not a creature of habit;

though, she clearly

rasped, her voice

once-over. "You don't look fine. Are

a hand to her forehead.

lately," she said. "A few days of rest and

a hand on Briony's forehead. "You've

too much trouble. I'll just take something for the

don't want to go to the

sure. I just need

to stand, Briony retreated to

"There's a nasty

salary in advance— cover twelve months-and give each person a year-end bonus of, say, twenty thousand. We'll start

in shock.

this year, but with those numbers,

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