Chapter 319
Briony stared blankly at her mother, uncertain she'd heard her right.
What was her mother saying?
Lauren had stolen her husband?
Julia's eyes drifted closed, tears slipping from the corners.
She kept murmuring, voice trembling, "Bryn, I'm sorry... I've failed you. I've failed you, sweetheart..."
Briony knelt beside her and gently wiped away her mother's tears.
Her own eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice catching. "Mom, I'm here. Don't worry, I promise we'll be okay. Things will get better from now on."
Julia's face twisted with pain. "Bryn, I'm so angry. My whole life, I've been a failure. Why did Lauren have to be my daughter? Why her... why..."
Her words faded to nothing, exhaustion overtaking her.
Briony watched her mother drift into sleep, silent tears streaming down her face.
The gray streaks in Julia's hair, the deep lines at the corners of her eyes-five years in prison, four years missing. Nine years had ground her down, leaving her looking decades older than her forty-something years. Now, she looked closer to seventy than forty.
All her life, Julia had known nothing but suffering.
Briony squeezed her mother's hand. "Rest now, Mom. From here on, I'll be by your side. I won't let you suffer anymore."
foot of the bed, their faces heavy
watching quietly for some time. The adults were so focused on Julia, they hadn't
tiptoed into
"Mommy...?"
wiping her face and taking a deep
as she gazed up at
forgotten her daughter was there she didn't
be afraid. Grandma's just sick,
She reached out her tiny
together,
to cry, Mommy. There's nothing
her daughter's wisdom. "Mommy's just sad for
Briony's neck, patting her
and Grandma. Don't worry-Dr. Ellsworth is really smart.
hugged her daughter close, burying her face in
not afraid. With
...
adults couldn't spare attention
still only four. Briony didn't want her
arrived before Julia
Nina, then stepped out onto
Julia had
your dad, and Rosita stole your husband?!" Briony
Mrs. Hudson knew Rosita was Lauren's daughter and
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