Chapter 120: Brielan's Opening

Brielle's POV

Two months had passed since the scare, and I felt more like myself again. My belly had blossomed, a gentle but unmistakable curve beneath the fitted black dress I wore for the evening. The soft fabric hugged my growing bump, and as I stood beside Daylan for the opening of Brielan, his private medical practice, excitement buzzed in the air.

Brielan, a blend of both of our names, as a way to symbolize not just his medical career but the life we were building together. The clinic was pristine, modern, with sleek glass walls and natural wood accents that gave it a welcoming warmth. I felt a surge of pride for everything Daylan had accomplished, especially after everything we had been through recently.

"Are you okay?" he whispered to me, squeezing my hand gently. He never let go of me the entire evening, his hand a steady anchor at my side.

I nodded, smiling up at him. "I’m great," I assured him, and I was. My heart had calmed, my health had stabilized, and the baby inside me seemed as strong as ever. I rubbed my hand across my belly absentmindedly, feeling the little flutters of life inside.

The clinic foyer was filled with guests, all of whom had come to celebrate this milestone with us. Medical colleagues, investors, friends… they all mingled around, sipping champagne and eating as soft music played in the background. Daylan was radiant, he wore a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and calm, confident demeanor. I could tell he was excited yet humbled by this moment.

Just as we began to walk toward the small podium where he was set to give his speech, I spotted Tabitha at the entrance. My heart stuttered for a moment, a cold shiver creeping up my spine. She waved, her expression calm, almost neutral, as she made her way towards me. Something in her gaze unsettled me, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. It was as if her presence carried a weight, something unresolved that lingered in the air between us.

“Brie,” she greeted me warmly, her voice soft but edged with something I couldn’t quite identify. “I wanted to see you… and him,” she gestured to Daylan, though her gaze never left me.

“Hi, Tabitha,” I said, trying to keep my tone even. But I couldn’t shake the sudden chill that crawled down my spine. As I glanced around the room, I caught a glimpse of something, or maybe it was someone. My eyes scanned the area, but no one was looking at me. It was just the crowd, absorbed in their own conversations. Maybe it was nothing. Just a flicker of nerves, I reasoned. But still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching me.

Tabitha’s voice pulled me back. “I know we haven’t spoken much since… well, since the last time.” She cleared her throat, her eyes dropping for a moment before meeting mine again. “I want to apologize again for how I acted. I was wrong, and I let my emotions get the best of me. I don’t want any of that to affect our relationship.”

There was a softness in her tone that surprised me. This was the Tabitha that I was used to... at least, it seemed that way. Her apology felt genuine this time, and despite everything, I found myself wanting to believe her. She had been through her own struggles, and though we weren’t exactly close right now, I didn’t want to hold on to the bitterness.

“It’s okay,” I said, my voice gentle. “We have both been through a lot, and I appreciate you saying that. I already forgave you.”

Just as the tension between us began to ease, my eyes caught a movement across the room. Mark Stern walked past, tall and composed, looking every bit the businessman he was. He gave a small nod in my direction but didn’t stop to talk, his focus elsewhere. I felt Tabitha stiffen beside me, her shoulders tightening as her gaze followed him, and I immediately knew there was still that unresolved tension between them. Her face paled slightly, but she quickly masked it with a strained smile.

“Excuse me for a moment,” she muttered, walking away abruptly.

I watched her go, my brow furrowing. I guess that situation that Tabitha tried to pull on him and created that tension between her and Mark was far from over. I hoped that Tabitha would just apologize to him and leave him alone. But before I could dwell on it, I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Brie!” Natalie’s voice chirped as she and Rick approached me. I instantly felt lighter seeing them both.

Rick looked sharp, as always, his tailored suit making him stand out in the crowd. Natalie was radiant in a flowing, midnight blue dress that matched the glint in her eyes. They were a perfect pair.

“You look stunning,” Natalie said, her eyes dropping to my belly with a grin. “How is the little one doing in there?”

I chuckled softly, resting my hand on my belly. “The little one has been kicking up a storm. I think she is as excited as I am about tonight.”

Rick grinned, his arm wrapping around Natalie’s waist. “We are so proud of you both. Dad has really done something amazing here. This place is stunning.”

“Yeah, he has, and I agree, this place is amazing. He put everything into this.” I murmured, turning to look at Daylan. He was speaking with a few guests near the podium, his face glowing with excitement. My heart swelled as I watched him. This was his goal, coming to life in front of us all.

Suddenly, Daylan stepped up to the microphone, the room quieting as he prepared to give his speech. He looked out at the crowd, then his eyes found mine, softening as they lingered on me for a moment.

“Thank you all for being here tonight,” he began, his voice steady and warm. “This practice, Brielan, is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion. But it’s not just my work, it’s the people around me who made it possible. My friends, my colleagues, my family... and most importantly, my wife.”

I felt my cheeks flush as his gaze locked with mine again, his love for me clear in that moment. “Brielle, you have been my rock, my inspiration, and my reason for pushing forward when things got tough. This practice is as much yours as it is mine.”

The crowd clapped softly, and I blinked back tears, overwhelmed by his words. He continued, “My passion has always been to save lives, to offer hope where there may seem to be none. This practice represents that vision, and I’m incredibly grateful to be working on a project with Mark Stern, who shares that same passion for helping others.”

I watched Mark give a brief nod from the back of the room, though his expression was more serious than usual. He was standing beside Tabitha, and I only hoped that things were okay between them now and that Tabitha wasn't causing more friction between them. I turned my attention back to Daylan.

His speech flowed smoothly, talking about his journey, the trials and triumphs he had faced as a doctor, and his dreams for the future of Brielan. His voice was strong, filled with purpose, and as I stood here, I couldn’t have been prouder of him.

As the applause rang out, I felt another shiver run down my spine. I glanced around the room again, but there was nothing out of the ordinary, just guests clapping and talking among themselves. Still, something didn’t feel right. I tucked the feeling away, determined not to let it ruin the moment.

Rick leaned over, whispering, “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”

I gave him a small smile. “I’m fine, just a bit tired. It’s been a long day.”

“Take it easy,” Natalie said, her brow furrowed with concern. “You have been through enough. We will keep an eye on things.”

I nodded, grateful for their support. No matter what the night brought, I had them and Daylan by my side. And that was all I needed. I looked at the man I had fallen in love with accomplishing something that he never even thought he would ever do after leaving the hospital. The board didn't want to give him a chance with his project and he proved to them that he could do this without them and what better way to surprise them by opening up his own private practice? I bet they never expected things to take such a turn.