Chapter 132

Stewart had pulled stunts like this more times than anyone could count over the past five years.

Briony turned to Irwin and said, "Call your mom."

Irwin mumbled an "Okay," and dialed Rosita.

No answer.

"Neither of them is picking up!" James snorted in disgust. "Bet they're off together, up to no good."

Briony's expression turned cold as she glanced toward the river, where sky lanterns were starting to drift upward. Worry gnawed at her.

James, guessing she was thinking about Julia and wanting to go release a lantern for her, offered, "Why don't you go on ahead with Hannah and the others? I'll stay here with him and wait for Stewart."

Briony shot him a grateful look. "Thank you."

"Oh, don't get all sentimental," James said, tugging Irwin gently by the arm. "Go on, before the crowd gets too thick and you can't get through."

He was right—as the evening wore on, the riverside would get packed, and it wasn't safe for her, not while she was pregnant.

Briony left with Hannah and the others to join the crowd by the river and release their lanterns.

She didn't look back at Irwin-not even once. She didn't take the lantern he'd bought for her, either.

little lantern in James's hand, feeling a

herself, and both his parents would

year, his dad had gone off

mom had left him behind, choosing to release a lantern

the cartoonish lantern in his hands,

single tear fell, soaking into the

was always so well-behaved, so sensible.

right? Was it true-did his

did, would she

...

packed, a

release a sky lantern. She watched it drift upward, glowing against the night sky until it became just another distant star, her eyes shining

Hudson will see it. She'll know you're doing well now, and

breath. "The crowd's getting bigger.

"Sure."

had arrived too; they said their goodbyes and went off to find

nowhere else to be after dinner, planned to head home

thickened, forcing Briony and Hannah to slow

past a cluster of people and caught up with

taken the kid," he reported, scanning the crowd with a worried

were just about to

keep you safe," James said, stepping to her

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

Comments ()

0/255