Briony blinked, her gaze steady. "Do you know why I rang the doorbell at


    Southcreek Manor today?"


    Stewart offered no reply, his silence stretching between them.


    She continued, “Because ever since the moment I signed the divorce papers and moved out, Southcreek Manor stopped being my home. When you visit someone else''s house, you ring the bell. That''s justmon courtesy."


    Stewart''s brow furrowed. "If Irwin hears you say that, he''ll be upset."


    Briony let out a softugh, the swirling snow doing a fine job of hiding the redness in her eyes.


    "You really do live up to your reputation, Stewart-the brilliant attorney everyone admires and fears. You certainly know how to twist the knife."


    He remained stone-faced, refusing to argue. To Briony, that look meant only one thing: he couldn''t even be bothered to exin.


    In the past, she would have felt crushed by that-hurt, even. But now? Not anymore.


    Still, some things needed to be said, if only to finallyy them to rest.


    "Is that what you think, Stewart? That my behavior today was cruel to Irwin?"


    "You know how much Irwin depends on you." Stewart hesitated, then added, "In his heart, you''re someone Rosita could never truly rece."


    "Is that so?" Briony actuallyughed. "If you know how important I am to him, why did you say those things to him? You want him to understand that blood family is irreceable, but you also want him to cling to me forever."


    She shot him a look, her voice icy. "Don''t you realize how twisted that is, Stewart? How maniptive?"


    Stewart was momentarily taken aback. He let out a heavy sigh. "Irwin and Rosita are his real mother and son. Rosita''s depression-well, reconnecting with Irwin has always been her biggest regret."


    "I''ve never stopped them from being together," Briony shot back. "Me stepping aside was my way of making space for the three of you. I''ve done my part, yed by the rules-what more do you want from me?"


    Stewart''s gaze darkened, unreadable in the swirling storm.


    His silence now felt to Briony like the most natural kind of dismissal.


    "Stewart, I don''t know what you ever thought of our marriage, but as far as I was concerned—even if there was no love, I believed we were at least family, that we trusted and cared for each other. But you hid Irwin''s parentage from me. You had me raise your and Rosita''s child, without ever telling me the truth. You turned me into a fool in my own marriage..."


    The words still stung, even now. Briony paused, swallowed hard, and drew a shaky breath, forcing herself to keep going.


    "I know our marriage was always a transaction. But even in a business partnership, I deserved to know the facts. But you-Stewart, you kept me at arm''s length the whole time. Or maybe you just thought I was too gullible to notice."


    "I never thought of you as an outsider."


    Through the howling wind, Stewart''s eyes met hers, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. "I didn''t mean to keep Irwin''s past from you. At the time, it was just


    "It doesn''t matter anymore." Briony cut him off, her tone dismissive. "At this point, I honestly don''t care about your family''s secrets."


    Stewart stared, as if he couldn''t quite believe her. "Are you serious?"


    "Do I look like I''m joking?" Briony gave a cold littleugh. "Stewart, can''t we just keep things dignified? I get it—you want to protect your son, and you don''t want Rosita to be hurt. So instead of standing here trying to guilt-trip me, why don''t you just go back inside and be with your family?"


    With that, she turned and reached for the car door, but Stewart suddenly lunged forward, grabbing her wrist in a firm grip.


    He was stronger than she remembered. In one sharp motion, she was pulled right into his arms.


    For a split second, Briony froze. She tried to push him away, but he only held her tighter, one hand pressing firmly against her stomach.


    Above her, his voice dropped to a low, urgent whisper. "Are you pregnant?"