On the drive back, Briony filled Ste in on the three conditions Stewart hadid out.


    When Ste heard them, she exploded. "Is he out of his mind? He wants you to go on vacation with him and his son when you''re about to get divorced? Ugh! What a creep! And his kid''s a little brat, too!"


    Briony pressed her lips together, saying nothing.


    After a moment, Ste calmed herself and nced over. "So, what are you thinking?"


    "He gave me three days to decide. I need to think it over," Briony admitted. She wasn''t ready to give in just yet.


    She still wanted to take her chances.


    Ste didn''t pick up on her hesitation, only nodded and said, "Alright, we''ve got three days. We''ll figure something out."


    "Yeah."


    Ste dropped Briony off at Dolphin Cove.


    She watched Briony disappear inside, then sat in her car, lost in thought. After some deliberation, she pulled out her phone and called Cedric rke.


    Cedric picked up right away. "Dr. Joyner?"


    "Hi, Dr. rke. Sorry to bother you thiste. Do you have a minute?"


    Cedric chuckled. "I''m single with nowhere to be, so trust me, you''re not interrupting anything."


    Ste rolled her eyes, but pressed on. "Let me guess-you think I''m calling about Briony?"


    "What else?" Cedric replied. "Stewart''s not the type to call and vent, but you are. So I figured it had to be about Briony."


    "You''re right. Stewart met with her today at Southcreek Manor and gave her three outrageous ultimatums!"


    Ste was practically seething just mentioning Stewart. "Each one was crazier than thest!"


    "What sort of conditions?"


    Ste ranted, listing all three to Cedric.


    He listened in silence, and after a long pause, finally said, "I''ll admit, those are pretty out there. But I have a feeling Stewart means what he says this time. You might want to advise Briony to consider it."


    "Me? Advise her to give in?!"


    Ste''s voice nearly blew out the speakers. Cedric winced and held the phone away from his ear.


    "Cedric rke, I thought you had more sense! Sure, you''re friends with Stewart, but I figured you still had basic decency. I called you hoping you''d talk some sense into him-not take his side!"


    "Hold on—" Cedric started, exasperated. "Just hear me out-calm down for a second-"


    "If you defend Stewart one more time, don''t expect me to ever acknowledge you again!"


    "No need to go that far," Cedric said with a faintugh. "But I know Stewart. The fact that he''sying out terms means he''s actually serious about the divorce." "What do you expect? He''s already nning a wedding with Rosita! Unless he thinks he''s in some medieval drama and can have multiple wives at once!"


    Cedric hesitated. "About Rosita... It''splicated. She has brain cancer, and she''s struggled with depression. Stewart''s only marrying her to make sure she doesn''t leave this world with regrets."


    "Brain cancer and depression?" Ste was skeptical. "She''s an actress-she''s been faking it all along!"


    Cedric paused again. "I''ve looked into it myself. The fact that you''re calling me shows you still trust me a little, so I''ll stand by what I say."


    Ste picked up on the hidden meaning. "So there is something fishy about Rosita, isn''t there?"


    "I can''t tell you everything. But I will say this: Stewart''s done Briony wrong, but he''s got his own burdens."


    Cedric''s voice trailed off, then became firm. "If you and Briony want this divorce finalized soon, take my advice: ept Stewart''s terms."


    Ste was still fuming, but she knew Cedric wasn''t one to let right and wrong get muddled.


    "And if Briony refuses?"


    "Then what are you going to fight him head-on?" Cedric''s tone grew grave. "I wouldn''t rmend it. If Stewart goes off the rails, there''s no stopping him. And this is best kept private-don''t take it public, for Irwin''s sake. The kid doesn''t deserve to get caught in the crossfire."