Briony often thought back to five years ago, when she''d walked straight into Stewart''s den of wolves. Maybe she''d done it because the circumstances forced her hand, maybe Stewart had orchestrated everything too perfectly, or maybe she''d simply been too young and naive, swept up by her own foolish crush. Probably, it was a mix of all those things.


    Even now, after everything, she could look at her marriage to Stewart-however much she''d been hurt or doubted-and still say with a clear conscience that she''d done nothing wrong.


    But if, today, she let herself agree to Garry''s terms just to get a divorce from Stewart-even knowing full well that Garry''s intentions were far from pure-well, then she really would have lost her mind.


    With that thought, Briony let out a coldugh. "Garry, have you ever considered another possibility?"


    Garry raised his eyebrows, making an inviting gesture. "Ms. Kensington, by all means, speak your mind."


    "Between spending a lifetime in a loveless, empty marriage with Stewart and dealing with you, I''d much rather avoid you altogether."


    As soon as she finished speaking, Briony turned on her heel and walked away without a backward nce.


    Garry watched her slim figure recede into the distance.


    After a long moment, the corners of his lips curled in a chilly smirk. "Stewart, you''re going to fall at her hands sooner orter."


    After Irwin''s condition finally stabilized, Stewart brought him home to Southcreek Manor.


    Once he''d soothed Irwin to sleep, Stewart headed downstairs.


    Ever since Briony had moved out, the manor felt emptier than ever. Only a housekeeper came by each day to clean-otherwise, there was no trace of life in the ce anymore.


    Stewart paused in the living room, sat down on the couch, and pressed his fingers to his temples.


    Just then, Carl walked in from outside. "Mr. Wentworth, we''ve got news about Ms. Kensington''s attack."


    Stewart''s posture tensed. "Go on."


    "Our people spotted Neal abroad, but he''s slippery-they lost him. However, they did manage to find a phone Neal dropped."


    Carl pulled out a phone and opened the photo gallery. "There was only one number in Neal''s contact log—a local number. We''ve checked; it''s a burner, no registration. No one picks up when we call."


    Stewart nced at the number, his voice turning icy. "Keep digging into it." "Yes, sir."


    "Give me the car keys," Stewart said, rising to his feet. "I need you here to look after Irwin. I''m heading to Lunar Heights Estate."


    "Understood." Carl handed over the keys.


    "And start looking for a new live-in housekeeper. Also, find an experienced childminder with a strong educational background. Sry isn''t an issue."


    Carl nodded. "I''ll get on it right away."


    ...


    Lunar Heights Estate.


    The private investigator had sent over a few photos and a video.


    Rosita opened them, scanning through, just as her phone rang. She answered.


    "Both Stewart and Briony showed up at city hall today, but the boy threw a fit and refused to let them finalize the divorce. He cried so hard he had an asthma attack. Stewart had to rush him to the hospital, so the divorce didn''t go through."


    Rosita''s grip tightened around her phone. "Got it. Keep following Briony for me."


    "Will do." The call ended.


    Rosita saved the photos and video to a private folder, then threw her phone onto the sofa in frustration.


    "Irwin, you little idiot!" she spat, trembling with anger, eyes shing red.


    Lauren had juste downstairs and caught sight of Rosita''s furious expression -almost twisted with rage.


    "Rosita?"


    Rosita startled, her face shifting instantly.


    "Mom," she said, turning to Lauren, voice trembling with hurt, eyes misty. "I really feel like I''m about to lose Stewart."


    Lauren came to sit beside her. "What''s gotten into you? Why are you saying such nonsense?"


    "Stewart still hasn''t divorced Ms. Kensington. I''m really anxious about it..."


    "He will, sooner orter," Lauren soothed. "The wedding is right around the corner. Stewart''s awyer-he won''t let himself break thew."


    "But he was at city hall today, and still didn''t go through with it!"


    "What?" Lauren was surprised. "How do you know that?"


    "I..." Rosita hesitated, not quite meeting Lauren''s eyes, then offered a half-truth. "I can''t help being concerned about Ms. Kensington. Stewart is so outstanding, and


    I worry she''ll cling to him. So I''ve had someone keeping tabs on her."


    Lauren nced at her with mild surprise. "At least you''ve got the sense to keep an eye on her. Not as clueless as I thought."


    Rosita ducked her head, sniffling. "Anyone would be on edge if the man they love had been living in a secret marriage with another woman for five years."


    “True.” Lauren patted her hand. “It''s good you feel the pressure. But as for Stewart and Ms. Kensington-don''t worry. You might not remember, but I do: Briony has always med Stewart for her mother''s death. Even if Stewart tried to keep her, she''d never agree. Not in a million years."


    "Really?" Rosita blinked up at Lauren, all innocence.


    "Don''t worry. I''m here for you-I''ll make sure you''re taken care of," Lauren


    promised, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.


    Touched, Rosita hugged her. "Thank you, Mom. You''re always so good to me."


    A familiar car engine sounded outside.


    Rosita let go, excitement lighting up her face. "Stewart''s back!"


    Both women stood.


    Stewart walked in from the rain, his coat still damp.


    "Stewart," Rosita called, gazing at him with adoration, her voice soft. "Why are you alone? Where''s Irwin?"


    "He''s at Southcreek Manor," Stewart replied coolly. "I''ll be taking care of him myself for the next few days."


    Rosita''s face stiffened. "You''ll be looking after him yourself... What do you mean?"


    "Your health isn''t up to it," Stewart said, ncing coldly at Lauren. "No one else can handle it."