Chapter 302

Stewart sensed something was off. "What's going on?" he asked.

Judd glanced at Briony, then back to Stewart, his tone resigned. "The mayor meant well-he wanted to tidy up Mrs. Hudson a bit so her family wouldn't be upset when they saw her. But Mrs. Hudson refused to cooperate."

Briony's anxiety spiked. "What does that mean?" she pressed Judd. "What's happened to my mom?"

Judd looked uncertainly at Stewart.

A crease formed between Stewart's brows. "Take us to her."

"Alright. Come with me," Judd said, turning and leading the way toward a small gate at the edge of the yard.

The gate opened into the mayor's barn.

Briony hurried after him, hope flickering stubbornly in her chest. It couldn't be that bad, she told herself. It just couldn't.

But reality hit her hard the moment she stepped inside.

was a woman with sallow skin, her body curled in on itself. She wore tattered clothes, her hair tangled and matted with straw. Her face was so dirty that only her eyes were

as if struck by lightning. No... this couldn't

started forward, but someone

back. "She's not in her right mind. She doesn't recognize anyone. Don't get too close—she lashes out

at Farrah desperately. "She's my mom. I'm here to take her

already told us. Of course it's good for you to take her away. But she's strong. Over

Why is she like this? What happened

fishermen found her washed up on the shore, barely alive. They sent my husband to check on her. He's a kind man he brought her back here. She had a terrible fever for a week. The island doctor came several times and said she probably wouldn't make it. We were about

gone. We searched everywhere and finally found her in the barn, clutching a pile of straw and talking to herself. It took all my patience to coax her back inside. But the next day she came right back

the more hopeless she

was all too

had lost her

living in this

wiped her tears away and moved toward the woman in the corner-her mother,

"Didn't you hear what she said? Mrs. Hudson isn't herself. She could hurt

to glare at him, her voice cold. "She's my mother. Even if she hits me or bites

breathing person-not an animal. She didn't belong in

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