Irwin immediately grinned. "Mom, open it! Hurry!"


    Briony lifted the lid of the jewelry box.


    Inside was a palevender crystal bracelet.


    These had be quite trendy this year.


    "Mom, they said something about this year being special-thedy selling the bracelet tried to exin, but it was all soplicated I didn''t really get it... Anyway, she said wearing this kind of purple crystal is supposed to be really good luck right now. I want you to be happy, so I bought it for you!"


    There was an innocence in her child''s words that went straight to Briony''s heart.


    She stared at the bracelet nestled in the box, her emotions tangled.


    Once upon a time, a gift chosen so thoughtfully by Irwin would have moved her deeply.


    But things had changed.


    Now, looking at the crystal bracelet, all she felt was a heavy, conflicted ache-any trace of warmth or joy was long gone.


    Irwin noticed her silence and grew anxious. Did Mom even like the bracelet?


    "Mom, don''t you like it?"


    Briony snapped out of her reverie, closed the box, and forced a small smile. "It''s very nice. Thank you for the gift."


    She slipped the box into her bag, unfolded a small nket, and reached for her sleep mask.


    "I''m going to rest. If you need anything, ask your dad."


    Adjusting her seat so she could lie down, Briony turned away to face the window and pulled the mask over her eyes.


    Irwin''s shoulders drooped. Disappointed, he mumbled, "Oh. Okay."


    Lately, Briony had been sleeping a lot. Sure enough, it wasn''t long before she drifted off.


    In thest row of first ss, Ste and James kept a close watch on the three sitting ahead of them.


    Fortunately, the flight passed without incident.


    Four hourster, the ne touched down at Cloudcrest International Airport. Briony had put together the travel itinerary, but Stewart had handled all the arrangements along the way.


    From the airport to the rental house, Briony barely spoke a word.


    Irwin, on the other hand, chattered nonstop, determined to keep things upbeat, but Stewart was the only one responding to him.


    When they arrived at the house and went to check in, Ste and James showed up as well.


    Irwin spotted James instantly.


    "Mr. Dney!" He gaped and pointed at James in surprise. "What are you doing here?!"


    At this point, neither James nor Ste bothered hiding.


    James took off his sunsses and waved cheerfully. "What a coincidence! Looks like we all picked the same spot for a vacation."


    Irwin frowned suspiciously. "This isn''t a coincidence at all! You totally followed us here!"


    Ste slid off her own sunsses and linked her arm through James''s, looking smug as she faced Irwin. "Hey, you don''t own this ce, you know. What''s wrong with a couple taking a little romantic trip together?"


    At that, Stewart gave Ste and James a cool, indifferent look.


    Then he ruffled Irwin''s hair gently. "Irwin, don''t be rude."


    Irwin snorted and ignored them, then hurried to grab Briony''s hand. "Mom, you''re not allowed to hang out with them! You promised this trip is just the three of us!"


    Briony nced at Irwin, her expression unreadable, and said nothing.


    Stewart didn''t seem bothered by James and Ste''s presence at all.


    He collected the room keys at the front desk, then turned to Briony. "The rooms are ready. Let''s take our bags up."


    Briony held out her hand. "I want my own room. Give me my key."


    Stewart''s brows lifted as he fixed Briony with a steady, searching gaze.


    After a moment, he dangled the keycard in his hand, lips quirking up. "It''s a family suite. We''re staying together."