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

had been watching quietly for some time. The adults

tiptoed into

"Mommy...?"

face and taking

eyes were rimmed with red as she gazed up at her mother, searching her

heart. She'd completely forgotten her daughter was there she didn't

Grandma's just

scared," Nina said softly. She reached out her tiny hand and

her lips together, forcing a smile.

cry, Mommy. There's nothing to

laughter and tears at her daughter's wisdom. "Mommy's just

wrapped her arms around Briony's neck, patting her back

here for you and Grandma. Don't worry-Dr. Ellsworth is really smart.

face in the warm,

nodded firmly. "I'm not afraid. With you here, Mommy's not afraid

...

might relapse when she woke, the adults couldn't spare attention for

still only four. Briony didn't want her to shoulder these

arrived before Julia regained

over Nina, then stepped out onto the balcony with

everything Julia

Lauren stole your dad, and Rosita stole

So Mrs. Hudson knew Rosita was

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