She really did feel wronged, but Briony knew she couldn''t me her mother for any of this.


    Her mother was never one for strong opinions-when swept up in public gossip and confusion, it was only natural she''d panic. Briony understood.


    After calming her mother, Briony turned away, casting a quick nce at Rosita standing outside the door. Her gaze then settled coldly on Stewart.


    "Stewart, the only reason I agreed to clear things up online was because I owed you for what you did for me years ago." Her voice was icy. "But if I''d known it woulde to this, I''d have rather been called ungrateful than get involved at all.”


    Stewart stared at her, seeing a resolve in her calm expression that he''d never witnessed before.


    This was nothing like the gentle, amodating Briony he''d known for the past


    five years.


    Something in her had changed.


    "I''ll handle everything online," Stewart said in a low voice. "And don''t me Rosita. She''s already spoken up for you on her Facebook page."


    "Spoken up for me?" Briony gave a sharp, incredulousugh. "If it weren''t for the two of you, would I be getting dragged through the mud in the first ce? Would I need her fake sympathy and empty words?"


    Stewart pressed his lips together, silent.


    Briony was done with their drama.


    "Listen, Stewart. The only reason I''ve put up with any of this is because of Irwin. But don''t think for a second that means you can walk all over me."


    She shot another nce toward Rosita outside the door, her voice quiet but edged with warning. “So it''s public opinion you''re worried about? Fine, I can y that game too. But if this turns into a real fight, are you sure you''re ready for it?"


    "Briony." Stewart''s face darkened. "Is that a threat?"


    "If you''ve got nothing to hide, then nothing I say should bother you."


    Briony met his gaze, letting out a coldugh. "Stewart, you can''t have it all. You want everything your way, but you can''t even keep up the pretense."


    "Don''te bothering us again. Rosita''s a celebrity-if you want to put up with the paparazzi for her, that''s your decision. But my mother and I are not props for your little love story."


    Stewart looked at Briony, his dark eyes inscrutable.


    Seeing the tension, Rosita quickly stepped into the room.


    She came to stand before Briony and Julia, removing her sunsses and mask to reveal her wlessly delicate features.


    Completely bare-faced, her pale skin made her look almost fragile.


    She bowed deeply, voice sincere. "Ms. Kensington, Ms. Hudson, I''m truly sorry for


    all the trouble I''ve brought into your lives."


    Briony frowned.


    She wasn''t about to pretend everything was fine.


    None of this would''ve happened if it weren''t for Rosita.


    "Ms. Lockwood, spare me the act. First it was ''let''s meet at the café,'' then next thing I know, it''s ''Stewart''s cheating scandal.'' You know exactly how innocent you are in all this, don''t you?"


    Rosita froze, then said softly, "I''m sorry, Ms. Kensington. I never thought things would get so out of hand. I''ve already asked my fan club president to help delete all the negativements about you."


    She sounded so pitiable, you''d think Briony was the one forcing her hand.


    Briony fixed her with a cool stare. "Ms. Lockwood, I''m not someone who likes to suffer in silence. If you can''t clean up this mess, I''ll use all the attention you''ve thrown my way to post the full, unvarnished truth about the three of us online. Everyst detail."


    Rosita''s face went nk.


    "You have a lot of devoted fans, don''t you?" Briony smiled, her lips curling as she studied Rosita''s innocent facade. "Well, I wonder how much they''ll love you once they know what really happened."