Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 71

When Briony returned to the hospital, it was already past ten.

Gina was making up the bed, and looked up in surprise when Briony walked in. “Ms. Kensington? I thought you weren’t coming tonight.”

Julia, sitting up in her hospital bed, gave her a curious look. “Bryn, what brings you here so late?”

Briony stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “I think I left my coat here.”

“This one, right?” Julia handed her the down jacket from the side of the bed. “The weather forecast says there’s going to be a big snowstorm. You need to stay warm.”

Briony took the coat and nodded. “I will. Thanks, Mom.”

“If there’s nothing else, you should get home and rest.” Julia squeezed her hand gently, frowning. “Why are your hands so cold? Are you feeling sick?”

Briony managed a faint smile. “No, it’s just winter. My hands are always cold this time of year.”

Julia was quiet for a moment, then suddenly said, “Bryn, Christmas Eve is only five days away.”

Briony paused, caught off guard, then gave a helpless little laugh. “I’ve been so busy lately, I completely lost track of time.”

Julia held her daughter’s hand and sighed. “You’ve been running back and forth between work and the hospital. I bet you haven’t even had time to prepare for the holidays, have you?”

Briony hesitated, then admitted, “Not really. I’ll try to find some time to go shopping in the next few days.”

“Let me come with you.”

“You can’t leave the hospital, Mom…”

“I’ll get a day pass. I know I need treatment, but I still want to spend Christmas like everyone else!” Julia shot her a look. “Are you planning to make me spend Christmas Eve in a hospital bed?”

Briony was at a loss for words.

Her mother still didn’t know about the leukemia. Dr. Cedric Clarke had convinced her to stay for treatment by saying she was just anemic and needed monitoring.

Not wanting Julia to suspect anything, Briony offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll talk to Dr. Clarke tomorrow and see if you can get a day pass, okay?”

“Great!” Julia grinned. “Dr. Clarke is such a good man—I’m sure he’ll say yes.”

As soon as she left the room, Briony reached into her coat pocket to check on the envelope from her prenatal appointment.

It was still there. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief, glanced back at the room, and slipped away down the corridor.

—