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.

was moved from recovery to a private VIP

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

great. The baby swallowed a bit of fluid and needs a few days in the NICU, but don't

eyes grew misty. "Briony, I think I

Why don't you try to sleep?" Mary shook her head, insistent. "I'm not tired. I want to talk to

understood-Mary's emotions, held back for so long, had

a daughter," Mary whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Briony, if he were

her, not at a moment

"He'd be

girer the

inherited all your best

Roveret

Clarke

to see?"

shining through her tears. "Let me see

"Look-she's so fair, with those big, beautiful eyes. Six pounds, three ounces. Honestly,

with pain. Suddenly her vision

cough and grew alarmed.

Mary tried to speak, but a crushing tightness in

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

I—I want to name her Florrie. And... for her nickname, just Lori...' "Mary? Don't scare me,

99

something was terribly wrong, Briony slammed her hand against the nurse

nurses and doctors rushed

to get her

and Marlene

fluid embolism-it was one of the most

into