"I was free before, but you never showed," Stewart said tly.


    "That was a fluke," Briony shot back, frowning. "I''m avable any time these days."


    "Well, I''m not."


    Briony didn''t buy it. "Don''t tell me you''re so busy you can''t even spare an hour to get the divorce papers signed."


    "Irwin''s been acting uptely. I really can''t get away."


    "It''s just an hour."


    "You brought Irwin into our lives. You know how he gets-when he throws a fit, it takes forever to calm him down."


    Briony pressed her lips together. When she used to look after Irwin, he rarely threw tantrums. But when he did, he was stubborn, and it always took time and patience to talk him down.


    "Of course, if you really want, I could bring Irwin along," Stewart continued, his voice drifting through the phone. "I just worry he''ll get attached all over again once he sees you."


    Briony was silent, taking a slow breath to steady herself. "Stewart, I don''t want to go in circles. Just answer me-when are we finalizing the divorce?"


    "Do you really have to go through with this?" he asked quietly.


    She almostughed in disbelief. "Have I not made myself clear enough?"


    He hesitated, his voice dropping. "But you... you''ll never be able to have children of your own now."


    Briony gave a cold, sharpugh. "So what?"


    "If you''d just reconsider," Stewart said, suddenly solemn, "we don''t have to get divorced. Irwin could always be your son. We could still be a family."


    For a moment, Briony couldn''t breathe. She honestly thought she must have misheard him.


    So this was Stewart''s version of sympathy? Because she couldn''t have children anymore, he was willing to offer Irwin to her as some kind of constion prize? She never realized a forged medical record could have such an impact.


    Once again, Stewart managed to shatter her expectations.


    "Listen to me, Stewart," she said icily. "I''d rather spend my life alone than ever look your way again."


    He fell silent on the other end.


    Briony closed her eyes, swallowing her anger. Hands resting on her stomach, she spoke with a chilling calm. "I made myself clear enough back in Ghana, Stewart. People who break their word get what''sing to them."


    There was a pause, then Stewart gave a low, humorlessugh. “Fine. This afternoon, then."


    "Two o''clock sharp," Briony replied immediately.


    "Alright."


    She ended the call.


    Briony asked Hannah to have a courier send all the gifts back to Southcreek Manor. Then she walked straight into her studio.


    She worked steadily until noon, only emerging when Gina arrived with lunch and fussed over her to remember her prenatal medication.


    After eating, Briony took her pills, set an rm, andy down for a rest.


    Her rm woke her at 1:30. She washed her face, grabbed her bag, and headed out for city hall.


    She arrived at 1:50, clutching her documents as she stepped out of the car and into city hall.


    beginning to fall in gentle


    With


    Outside, the sky was heavy and dark, thest of the city''s snow melted away, Northborough''s rainy season had begun.


    Briony sat in the waiting area, eyes flicking up to the clock.


    Two o''clock, on the dot.


    Stewart should be here any minute.


    ...


    A ck Mercedes pulled up in front of city hall.


    Carl nced at the white BMW parked nearby, then turned to Stewart. "Mr. Wentworth, it looks like Ms. Kensington''s already inside."


    Stewart nodded, casting a nce at Irwin, who was fast asleep with his head lolling on the back seat, a mischievous glint flickering in Stewart''s dark eyes.


    He reached over and gently pinched Irwin''s tiny nose.


    Irwin frowned, rolled over, and mumbled, "I''m sleepy..."


    Stewart arched an eyebrow.


    Carl, taking in the scene, offered, "Looks like the little guy''s wiped out. If you want,


    I can stay in the car with him so you can go in on your own."


    It was a kind suggestion-no sense dragging a tired child out in the pouring rain, risking a cold.


    But as soon as the words left his mouth, Stewart shot him a frosty re.


    In the end, Stewart got out-taking the drowsy Irwin with him.


    Carl scrambled to follow, hurrying to hold the umbre over father and son.


    The sound of rain drummed steadily on the umbre, making Irwin stir. He rubbed


    his eyes, blinking in confusion at the unfamiliar surroundings.


    "Dad, where are we?" he asked sleepily.


    Stewart smoothed his hair. "City hall."


    "Huh?” Irwin blinked. "Why are we here?"


    Stewart didn''t answer.


    Inside the building, it was easy to spot Briony waiting in the lobby.


    Carl folded up the umbre and quietly stepped back.


    "Mommy!" Irwin''s eyes lit up instantly at the sight of her.


    Briony was startled, turning to see Stewart walking toward her with Irwin in his arms.


    She stood, an edge in her voice. "Why did you bring him here?"


    Stewart only smiled, calm as ever. "He insisted oning. What could I do?"


    Carl, standing off to the side, nearly choked. The little guy had been sound asleep! It was Stewart who insisted on dragging him along.


    "Mommy." Irwin reached out his arms to her, his voice pleading. "I missed you. Can you hold me?"


    Briony couldn''t pick him up, not with her pregnancy. Even if she weren''t expecting, she wouldn''t have.


    Ignoring Irwin''s outstretched arms, she addressed Stewart. “Let Carl take him. I already got our number. There are only two ahead of us."


    Stewart raised a brow and agreed with a quiet, "Alright."


    But as soon as he turned away, Irwin burst into tears.


    "I don''t want Carl to take me! No, no, Daddy, are you and Mommy getting a


    divorce? You can''t! If you do, Mommy won''t want me anymore..."