Chapter 240
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‘How did Charles know?‘ Briana wondered, the thought suddenly hitting her. ‘Did the doctor contact my family?‘
Briana couldn’t make sense of it. Her mind was all over the place.
‘Forget it, I’ll just try to sleep, Briana told herself. She closed her eyes, but sleep was nowhere to be found. “There’s no way I can sleep right now. Looks like it’s going to be a long, sleepless night!‘
Shepard was still lying on the couch, making no move to sleep beside her. He knew she’d kick him out if he tried.
Minute by minute, the night slipped away. As dawn broke, sunlight began to filter through the curtains. Neither of them had slept a wink all night.
As Briana headed downstairs, she felt dazed and disoriented, like she was floating on clouds. Her steps were so light and shaky that it was as if exhaustion had made her lose all sense of balance.
Pulling an all–nighter really messed one up, both physically and mentally.
Briana sat at the table, staring at her breakfast. She had zero appetite. But she had to force herself to eat, no matter what.
It wasn’t just about her anymore. Her baby needed her to eat.
Charles burst into the room, practically tripping over himself in his rush.
“Well? Well?” Charles blurted out before he’d even sat down, barely able to hold back his nerves. “Did you guys figure it out?”
Briana shook her head. “No.”
“Huh?” Charles exclaimed.
But Shepard cut in, his tone firm. “There’s nothing to discuss. The answer’s obvious.”
This wasn’t about choosing between the mother and the baby. It was simple. Briana’s life came first.
Charles sighed, “Still not on the same page?”
Shepard shot him a look. “We’re all in agreement, aren’t we? You want Briana to get the heart surgery so she can be okay, right?”
“Yeah, of course,” Charles said.
Shepard pressed, “And the Lane family and the Carter family agree with us, too, right?”
“Yeah,” Charles replied.
“So, Shepard said, pressing his lips together, “Briana’s the only one who doesn’t agree.”
Briana sat there, eyes downcast, her face blank and unreadable.
Charles stared at her, stunned. “Briana, are you really willing to risk your life for this baby?”
“Charles, even if I don’t keep the baby, there’s no guarantee I’ll survive,” Briana said quietly,
Charles made a show of spitting, “Don’t say it!”
“I’m just stating the facts,” Briana replied.
11:04
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Chapter 240
Shepard picked up his coffee and took a sip, the bitterness hitting him.
༥ ཛཱ་ (6༠)
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“See?” he said, sounding defeated. “That’s just how she is. I can’t get through to her. Why don’t you give it a shot?”
Charles started to stammer, “I–I’m really bad at this. I never know what to say.”
“Then,” Shepard suggested, “why don’t we call Olivia?”
Olivia always knew what to say. Once she started talking, it was like rapid–fire.
And honestly, at a time like this, Olivia was the only one who could really make Briana listen. She was Briana’s best friend.
“No way!” Briana blurted out, her voice sharp. “Olivia can’t know about this.”
Olivia would totally tear into her if she ever found out.
Briana wasn’t scared of anyone, and nobody could ever change her mind. But Briana actually didn’t dare to face Olivia.
But Shepard, as he’d hit her soft spot, raised an eyebrow. “I’m calling Olivia.”
With that, he picked up his phone.
Briana lunged for his phone, trying to stop him. But he just held it up out of her reach.
“Shepard, wait-” Briana called out, panic in her voice. But it didn’t help.
Shepard got up too, suddenly towering over her.
“What do you want? Seriously, it’s way too early for this,” Olivia snapped through the phone, her voice dripping with annoyance. “I’m about to go slave away at the office, and my mood sucks. Shepard, this better be important, or I’m going to roast you!”
Olivia had been up to her neck in Hughes Group projects lately, barely keeping her head above water with all the work piling up.
She was so stressed that even the dogs on the street were getting on her nerves/And now Shepard was making things worse.
“Are you heading to Hughes Group?” Shepard asked. “I’ll swing by with Briana later.”
“What for?” Olivia replied, her guard instantly up.
‘Shepard definitely isn’t up to anything good,‘ Olivia wondered.
“Something’s up,” Shepard said. “Catch you in a bit.”
Olivia hadn’t managed to say one word before the call ended.
Briana stood off to the side, swallowing nervously,
‘Olivia’s already in such a foul mood, and if she finds out about this,’ Briana thought. I’m going to get totally roasted.
Briana felt a real sense of dread creeping in. She wasn’t scared of her husband or her family, Olivia was the only one who could really freak her out.
Even Charles was totally on board. “Let Olivia talk you around. She’s the only one who can actually make you listen. Nobody
else stands a chance.”
“Charles,” Briana murmured.
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Chapter 240
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“Briana,” Charles said, patting her shoulder gently, “you’ve got to think about everyone who loves you. We all care about your so much.
“How could we possibly stand by and watch you risk your life just to save a baby? If Mom and Dad were still here, they’d do everything in their power to fix your heart.”
Charles added, “Right now, anyone who tells you to keep the baby is putting you in danger. You have to put yourself first always.
“And Shepard didn’t even hesitate; he’s ready to let go of the baby, even if it means you might never have kids again. He doesn’t care about that at all.”
Charles nodded toward Shepard, raising his chin. “Am I right?”
“Yeah,” Shepard replied, his voice steady. “Briana is all I need.”
“See?” Charles said, his voice full of emotion. “He loves you deeply. Isn’t that enough? Briana, real love isn’t just sweet words or always giving in. It’s about standing by you, helping you, supporting you, making you better, and lifting you up.”
Briana stayed silent. They said one saw true feelings in hard times. Only in moments like this did deep love reveal itself completely.
Shepard didn’t hesitate for even a second. He was completely focused on getting Briana the best care possible, searching everywhere for top–notch medical help.
Briana was honestly moved by his devotion.
But as much as her heart was touched, her rational side kept reminding her she had to make the right choice.
She couldn’t let it end with losing the baby and still not fixing her heart, and end up with nothing at all.
She had to fight for the one with the best odds, the one most likely to pull through.
Briana could feel how much everyone cared about her. They all wanted her to be okay. But she loved her baby deeply. She was a mother, after all.
‘Everyone loves me, but who will love my baby?‘ she wondered, especially since Briana had already lost a child before. Nobody else could ever really understand her feelings.
After breakfast, Briana was about to head to the gallery. But Shepard blocked her way and ushered her toward his car. He held her wrist gently, refusing to let go,
“What are you doing?” Briana protested, struggling against his grip. “You’re seriously dragging me to see Olivia?”
“It’s already set,” Shepard replied.
“I’m not going,” Briana insisted.
“So,” Shepard asked, “what are you going to tell Olivia when she asks?”
Briana bit her lip. “I’ll tell her myself.”
“And what will you say?” Shepard pressed. “That you’re willing to risk your life for the baby?”
Briana bit her lip harder.
