Briony turned away from Stewart, no longer meeting his eyes, and staggered forward, barely holding herself together.
“Bryn!”
Stella hurried after her, catching up to help her into the car.
Stewart’s lashes trembled. He’d just started to move when Cedric Clarke, unable to watch any longer, stepped in to block his way.
“Stewart, let it go. She needs someone else right now, and that’s not you.”
Stewart’s expression darkened at those words.
Cedric, frustrated, shook his head. “Honestly, you’re hopeless. You just stand there trying to make your presence known, and it’s infuriating!”
Stewart shot him a glare, his face like a thundercloud, but said nothing.
Cedric sighed, the whole situation growing more absurd by the second.
“I mean it, man. You even kept your secret marriage to Briony from me! The last time at the hotel, I said all those things… No wonder Dr. Joyner was giving me that look. Stewart, you totally set me up…”
But Stewart wasn’t listening anymore. He pulled out his phone and dialed. “I need a search and rescue team. Money’s not a problem—just send them.”
—
For three days, Briony waited—sometimes by the riverbank, sometimes at the police station—hoping for news.
Stella took time off from her job at the hospital, staying with Briony day and night.
On New Year’s Eve, the officer assigned to the case finally approached Briony and told her the search was over. He offered his condolences.
Briony didn’t say a word. Once outside the station, she told Stella she wanted to stop by the grocery store.
Stella knew something was wrong. Ever since Julia’s accident, Briony had locked all her emotions deep inside. It was unsettling—far more so than if she’d broken down in tears.
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