Stewart said nothing.


    Cedric rke, clearly fed up with his friend''s stubborn silence, shot to his feet. "Fine, do whatever you want! But if you really n on double-crossing us, then we''re done. I''m not even married yet if people see I run with someone who can''t stay loyal, who''d ever want to marry me?"


    Out in the hallway, Rosita frowned and quietly turned away.


    The first thing Briony did when she got back to her studio was clear out the past.


    The break room was still cluttered with Irwin''s belongings.


    She gathered everything up, packed it neatly, and scheduled a courier to deliver it all to Southcreek Manor.


    James watched her decisive actions and couldn''t help but praise her. "That''s the spirit! Stay away from the bad eggs. Soon, you''ll have your own kids-maybe even twins!"


    Briony shot him a look. "Honestly, I''ve wanted to do this for ages, but with everything happeningtely, it just kept getting pushed back."


    "No worries. Now''s the perfect time to send it all away!"


    Briony pulled out her phone. "I''m going to give my mentor a call."


    "Go ahead. I''ll be outside ying with the golden retriever." With that, James slipped out of the office.


    Briony dialed Carney''s number.


    Sheid everything out for Carney-her current situation, her decision, what she''d been through.


    Carney listened quietly, then sighed deeply. "As long as you''ve made up your mind, that''s all that matters. Mrs. Winslow and I will always support you."


    Briony was surprised.


    She''d braced herself for a lecture before dialing.


    "You''re... not angry?"


    "You''re my student, but first and foremost, you''re your own person," Carney replied. "As your mentor, I can guide your career, but life is a much longer journey. For now, Mrs. Winslow and I can walk with you, but in the end, there will be countless crossroads you''ll have to face alone. Only by walking them can you know if you''ve chosen right or wrong."


    "Bryn, this is your life. You have the right to make any choice-but you''ll also have


    to handle whateveres from it. Does that make sense?"


    Briony felt a lump in her throat and blinked back tears. "Yes, I understand."


    "Good. Now, let''s talk business..."


    The callsted nearly half an hour.


    By the time Briony stepped out of her office, dusk had already settled.


    James spotted her and grinned. "I made a reservation at a steakhouse. First time


    as a godfather—I think that deserves a little celebration. Come on!"


    Briony rolled her eyes, halfughing. "You''re such a drama queen.”


    James scoffed. "Those kids are lucky to have me looking out for them. You should be thrilled!"


    Briony ignored his antics.


    She filled the golden retriever''s bowl, grabbed her coat, and headed out with James.


    The restaurant James picked catered exclusively to ck card members-highly private, a favorite haunt of celebrities and business moguls alike.


    By seven, the ce was bathed in softmplight and the gentle strains of ssical music.


    Near the floor-to-ceiling windows, shielded by privacy screens, Rosita and Irwin sat across from each other.


    James and Briony walked in side by side.


    Irwin spotted Briony instantly.


    "Mom!"


    Rosita was cutting Irwin''s steak when she heard him call out. Her hand froze, and the knife screeched sharply across the te.


    She looked up just in time to see Irwin leap from his chair, dashing toward Briony with uncontained excitement.


    "Mommy!"


    His clear, joyous voice rang out through the restaurant.


    Rosita''s grip tightened around her knife and fork, her eyes lowered, but a sh of bitterness flickered in her gaze.