Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony froze for a moment, then said quickly, "I'll call Dr. Clarke and have the driver take you to the hospital."

"Okay."

"Don't forget your hospital bag. I'll head straight there and meet you."

"Alright, we will!"

After hanging up, Briony swung her car around and sped toward Clarke Hospital.

Rain was pouring down, and traffic snarled at every intersection. As soon as she finished calling Cedric Clarke, Briony, still uneasy, dialed Marlene.

Marlene picked up almost immediately, saying they were already on their way to the hospital.

In the background, Briony could hear Mary's cries of pain.

"Put me on speaker," Briony urged, trying to soothe Mary as she navigated the slick city streets.

By the time Briony reached the hospital, she parked in a rush and hurried straight to maternity.

Mary had already been wheeled into the delivery room. Cedric Clarke stood just outside, his face taut with worry. Marlene was nearby, a few flecks of blood still staining her sleeve.

"How is she?" Briony asked, breathless.

Cedric's expression was grave. "She's had some bleeding. Director Charles is in there with her now, checking everything over. We don't know any more yet."

"She's full term," Briony said, steadying her breathing as she looked at Cedric. "All the checkups have been fine. She should be okay, right?"

Cedric shook his head, about to reply, when the delivery room door swung open. A nurse stepped out. "It was a rapid delivery with a second-degree tear, but you got her here just in time. It's a girl-six pounds, three ounces. The baby swallowed some fluid, so she's been taken to the neonatal unit for observation. The mom's being stitched up-if she's stable after two hours, we'll move her to her room."

Briony and Marlene both let out a sigh of relief.

Mary was moved from recovery to a private

arriving in her room. As soon as she opened her eyes and saw Briony, she managed a faint

brushed a strand of hair from Mary's pale face. "You did great. The baby swallowed

eyes grew misty. "Briony,

Mary shook her head, insistent. "I'm not

emotions, held back for so long, had finally overflowed with

he wanted a daughter," Mary whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks.

disappoint her, not at a moment like

"He'd be

girer the moon. And

inherited all your best

Roveret

Dr. Clarke took

to see?"

shining through her tears.

beautiful eyes. Six pounds, three ounces. Honestly, I think she's even cuter than little Nina was

with

cough and grew alarmed.

to speak, but a crushing tightness in her chest left her

was wrong, Mary clutched Briony's hand, desperate to say what

to name her Florrie. And... for her nickname, just Lori...' "Mary? Don't

99

something was terribly wrong, Briony slammed

seconds, nurses and doctors

We need to

and Marlene

fluid embolism-it was one of the most dangerous complications

was rushed into