Cedric rke choked on his words.


    "But you still chose to help him."


    Cedric fell silent.


    "Dr. rke, you''ve helped me before, and I understand you have your loyalties as Stewart''s friend. I don''t me you for that," Briony said, her gaze calm and measured. "But you''ve chosen his side, so I can''t just pretend it''s nothing."


    Cedric pressed his lips together and let out a heavy sigh. "I''m sorry."


    Briony didn''t say another word to him. She turned and headed straight for the elevator.


    Ste followed, lifting her dress as she passed Cedric, shooting him a furious look.


    "Careful hanging around with Stewart. People might start thinking you''re just like him-you''ll end up single for life!"


    Cedric stood there, speechless.


    Their destination was St. Augustine''s Church on the Golden Coast.


    The old stone church sat by a stretch of golden sand, a world away from the city. The drive from the hotel took nearly twenty minutes.


    The entire ride was tense and silent.


    Cedric kept ncing in the rearview mirror at his passengers. Briony stared out the window, lost in thought. Ste, on the other hand, met his eyes more than once, each time ring at him like he was the viin of the story.


    Cedric could only grit his teeth and suffer in silence. He''d never felt more misunderstood.


    Finally, they arrived at the church.


    As soon as the car stopped, Ste hopped out, then helped Briony from the back seat.


    The grounds were eerily quiet.


    Stewart had reserved the entire church for the day-no tourists, no onlookers, only those who belonged.


    At the entrance, a man and a boy stood together, both dressed in matching white suits-father and son, unmistakable even from a distance.


    A handful of staff milled about, along with the photography team.


    When Irwin spotted Briony, he waved both arms and called out, "Mom! Mom- over here!"


    Briony frowned, caught off guard. Irwin was here, too?


    "What is he doing here?" Ste sputtered, then punched Cedric twice in the arm.


    Cedric didn''t even try to dodge, just winced and exined, "Irwin wanted the three of you to take a family photo. He said it''s his biggest wish."


    He studied Briony''s expression, and when she didn''t react, he continued softly, "He said, after five years with you as his mom, he wanted one keepsake to remember it by."


    "Oh, for heaven''s sake!" Ste was practically fuming, rubbing the back of her neck. "My blood pressure''s going through the roof!"


    Briony''sshes fluttered, then she turned to Cedric. "Dr. rke, you''re not telling me everything, are you?"


    Cedric froze.


    "Stewart isn''t just here for a photo, is he? He''s nning some kind of ''divorce ceremony'' in the church, isn''t he?"


    Cedric hesitated. "You... you guessed?"


    "I read about it online once," Briony replied, her voice cold and edged with


    sarcasm. "It was described as some tragic, romantic thing. But Stewart-does he really deserve that?"


    Cedric had no answer. For some reason, he was starting to get a very bad feeling. Briony seemed almost too calm.


    "Mom!"


    Irwin ran toward her, excitement on his face.


    Briony watched hime, her expression unreadable.


    Just then, her phone-left with Ste-began to ring.


    "It''s Mr. Dney," Ste said, passing her the phone. "The test results must be in!" Briony took the phone, pressed it to her ear, and spoke steadily. "Mr. Dney." James''s deep, serious voice came through the line. "Bryn, we have the results."