Ste looked up at Briony, her expression dead serious. "Wait, is Rosita sick or something? Like, one of those trashy novel plots-tragic ex-girlfriend needs a kidney transnt or whatever... Hold up! You don''t think Stewart''s after your organs, do you?"


    Briony just stared at her. "...."


    As ridiculous as it sounded, Ste had actually gotten about half of it right.


    "He said Rosita has a brain tumor," Briony replied quietly.


    Ste''s eyes went wide. "No way. Seriously? Wow, karma really is working overtime! Couldn''t have happened to a nicer person, honestly."


    Briony pressed her lips together, frowning slightly.


    "What''s with that look?" Ste frowned too. "Are you actually worried Stewart wants your body parts? Rx, even if he''s lost his mind, Rosita needs a brain, not a kidney. Unless Stewart''s found a mad scientist somewhere, you''re safe—your head''s staying right where it is."


    Briony shot her a tired look. “Star, maybey off the soap operas for a while.”


    “Alright, alright, I just thought I''d try to cheer you up a little." Ste put her hands up in surrender.


    Briony sighed. "Just finish reading the agreement, will you?"


    "Sure." Ste nodded obediently and went back to scanning the contract.


    Honestly, those first few terms looked pretty good to Ste.


    Whoins about too much money? The more, the better!


    Especially for someone like Briony, who''d been raising that jerk''s kid—and his mistress''s kid, no less-for five long years. As far as Ste was concerned, the money, the house, all of it was nothing less than what Briony deserved.


    Ste flipped to thest page. Suddenly, her gaze froze on an extra use at the end.


    "What''s this addendum? It isn''t spelled out anywhere in the contract."


    "I haven''t asked yet, but honestly?" Briony''s face was tense. "It can''t be anything good."


    Ste pulled a face like she''d bitten into a lemon.


    "I was getting all excited for nothing! Guess I really was too naive. I mean, what''s Stewart''s deal, anyway? The guy''s a billionairewyer-shouldn''t he have better things to do than y mind games?"


    Briony rubbed her temples. "I wish I knew what he was after."


    Ste propped her chin on her hand and muttered, "Grade-A jerk."


    The mood in the room suddenly turned heavy.


    A knock sounded at the door, and a momentter, a waiter came in, carrying their food.


    One by one, the dishes were set out on the table.


    When thest dish arrived, Ste grabbed a fork, speared a piece of carrot cake, and shoved it in her mouth. Through a mouthful, she mumbled, "Forget the jerk for now, you''re pregnant. Eating well is priority number one!"


    Briony didn''t really have an appetite. She absentmindedlydled herself some soup and sipped at it.


    "By the way," Ste said, poking at her rice with her fork and eyeing Briony, "aren''t


    you the least bit curious about those three conditions he mentioned?"


    "Nothing good, I''m sure." Briony recoiled at the thought, which was why she hadn''t even asked.


    But Ste didn''t think ignoring it would solve anything.


    She set her fork down. "I just don''t get it. Stewart''s been actingpletely unhingedtely. He''s the one who handed you the divorce papers, he''s the one nning a wedding with Rosita, and now he''s the one refusing to let you go unless you agree to three mystery conditions!"


    "Seriously, you need to just ask him what those conditions are!" Ste''s frustration was mounting. "I want to know what could possibly be so important that Stewart keeps dangling it over your head, making things so difficult for you!"


    Briony couldn''t make sense of it either.


    Stewart''s recent behavior was nothing short of bizarre.


    “Bryn, you have to get out of this marriage,” Ste urged. “It''s clear Stewart doesn''t want to end things amicably, so you need to find a way to cut ties as soon as possible. I''m not saying you should cave, but honestly..."


    She sighed again. "In Northborough, Stewart has all the power. And given your situation, you really can''t afford to drag this out any longer. The most important thing right now is to end this marriage."


    Ste had a point.


    Briony knew she couldn''t waste any more time. Before her pregnancy showed, she had to get out of Northborough.


    Bolstered by Ste''s encouragement, Briony dialed Stewart''s number.


    He picked up almost immediately.


    His deep voice came through the phone. "Have you made up your mind?"


    Briony swallowed her anger and answered, her tone icy, "Let''s hear your three conditions first."


    Stewart gave a low, amused chuckle. "I don''t negotiate over the phone. Let''s meet."