Stewart strode straight over, blocking Briony''s path.


    She stopped and slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. Her eyes were empty, drained of any trace of emotion.


    He looked at her, a strange, sharp ache twisting in his chest. "I''ll get a search team organized-"


    Crack!


    A sharp p cut him off mid-sentence.


    Stewart''s head snapped to the side. For a stunned moment, he just stood there, brows pinched in confusion before he finally turned to look at Briony.


    Her hand—still trembling from the blow-fell limply to her side. She tried to clench her fist, but her fingers shook uncontrobly. She''d put everything she had into that p, and now she had nothing left.


    But she refused to let Stewart see her weakness. She red at him coldly. "Get out of my way."


    Stewart''s expression darkened.


    Cedric rke hurried over, grabbing Stewart by the arm and pulling him aside. "Let it go, man. She''s not herself right now-you''re only making things worse."


    Stewart pressed his lips into a thin line, his dark eyes stormy and unreadable.


    He was used to being in control. For the first time, he found himself utterly powerless.


    She''d pped him—and yes, he was angry. But when he met the burning resentment in Briony''s eyes, he was left adrift, at a loss for what to do.


    Briony didn''t spare him another nce. She turned and walked toward her car, her figure looking heartbreakingly slight against the biting winter wind.


    Stewart swallowed hard, fighting through the pain that gripped his chest. Almost without thinking, he reached out and caught her by the wrist.


    Briony froze, but didn''t look back.


    “Let go,” she said. Her voice was hoarse and lifeless, carried away by the wind, leaving only a lingering ache behind.


    Still, Stewart refused to release her. He stared at the way she hung her head, his emotions swirling, but his lips remained tightly sealed.


    Cedric was nearly frantic. "If you want to apologize, just say it!"


    Ste hurried to Briony''s side, shooting Stewart a furious re. "Are you trying to drive her mad? Let her go, Stewart!"


    Stewart''s eyes never left Briony. His lips parted, but for a long moment, no sound came. Finally, he managed just two words, low and solemn: "I''m sorry."


    But right now, those words felt hollow.


    Cedric and Ste fell silent.


    Briony still didn''t turn around. She couldn''t bear to look at him again.


    "Stewart, I won''t say it again. Let go of me."


    His jaw clenched, but he didn''t move.


    He thought maybe he''d lost his mind-still desperate, in this moment, for Briony to turn and look at him.


    Even if it was only to re at him with all the hatred she had.


    He couldn''t stand being ignored by her.


    The intensity of his own feelings left him reeling, lost. He didn''t even know what


    he wanted—what would possibly make this right.


    They stood there, locked in a silent standoff, neither willing to yield.


    Cedric was about to intervene when suddenly Briony spun around.


    She lifted her chin, her icy stare pinning Stewart in ce. "What do you want from me, Stewart?"


    He swallowed hard, unable to find an answer.


    She studied his face-the face she''d loved for five long years, as familiar to her as her own.


    It was as if she couldn''t make sense of any of it. She frowned slightly. "Is this what you want? Do you need me on my knees, begging, before you''ll let me go?"


    Stewart was stunned, about to speak, but Briony shoved him back-hard. He stumbled several steps, her slender arm slipping from his grasp. His palm was suddenly empty, and a wave of panic crashed over him. Briony''s eyes were bloodshot, burning with fury. "I hate you, Stewart!"