James pressed his lips together, his expression grave as he gave a heavy nod.


    Briony''s knife slipped from her hand and ttered onto the cutting board.


    "Careful!" James rushed forward and pulled her out of harm''s way.


    The suddenmotion startled Gwendolyn White, who quickly turned off the stove and spun around to look at Briony.


    Seeing Briony''s stricken face, Gwendolyn frowned. "What''s wrong?"


    Briony''splexion was ashen, her eyes rimmed red.


    Rosita had killed her son.


    And what had she just done?


    She had just held that child in her arms...


    Briony closed her eyes, trying to steady her emotions. "Have Garry take the boy and leave. Right now."


    She knew the child was innocent.


    But his mother was the one who had killed her son.


    Gwendolyn steadied Briony and called out to James, "Why are you standing there? Go, now!"


    James let out a weary sigh and walked out of the kitchen-nearly colliding with Garry in the hallway.


    Garry was about to step inside when James stopped him with an outstretched arm. "What are you doing?"


    James narrowed his eyes. "Briony knows little Mario is your son with Rosita. She''ll never forgive Rosita. If you have any decency left, take your boy and leave. Now."


    Garry met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "Mario is my son, but Rosita isn''t his biological mother."


    James snorted. "Don''t try to fool us. You''ve been with Rosita for four years. The tabloids have been full of stories about her giving you a son. And now you expect us to believe this?"


    Garry''s tone didn''t waver. "Rosita hadplications when she delivered Irwin. She had to have a hysterectomy. She''s never been able to have more children."


    James froze.


    Rosita can''t have children?


    "Mario''s biological mother died in childbirth," Garry said, ncing past James toward the kitchen. "I married Rosita so Mario could have a real family."


    He spoke loudly enough that Briony and Gwendolyn could hear everything from the kitchen.


    For a moment, both women stood in conflicted silence.


    Gwendolyn patted Briony''s hand. "As long as he isn''t Rosita''s child."


    Briony pressed her lips together, torn.


    She had little affection for Garry, but little Mario''s situation tugged at her heartstrings.


    As a mother herself, Briony just couldn''t bring herself to send them away.


    Besides, Garry and Carney were close. Out of respect for Carney, she felt it wasn''t her ce to force them out.


    At dinner, Carney pulled out a bottle of whiskey and invited Garry to join him for a drink.


    Since Garry had a driver and Carney was insistent, he didn''t refuse.


    Little Nina and little Mario sat side by side in their booster seats.


    Briony divided up their food into child-sized bowls and tied on their bibs, then left the rest to them.


    Little Nina had excellent table manners. Briony had been encouraging her to eat on her own since she was a year old, and by now, at age four, she was a pro.


    Little Mario, on the other hand, was more delicate; Carol had always fed him by hand.


    So when little Mario watched Little Nina spear a piece of beef with her fork and pop it into her mouth, he stared, wide-eyed, a look of awe on his face.


    Little Nina ate with gusto. Her baby teeth were all healthy, and she chewed confidently-bite of food, bite of vegetables, another bite-enjoying every morsel.


    Little Mario couldn''t take his eyes off her.


    Carol noticed and smiled gently at him. "Look at how well Little Nina eats. Maybe you could try it yourself?"


    Little Mario frowned in concentration, ncing down at the fork in his hand.


    He was holding it awkwardly, unsure how to use it.


    Little Nina paused and leaned over to show him. "Put your thumb here, your finger there... That''s it! See? Now try picking up the beef, like this." She demonstrated, encouraging him every step of the way.


    With her patient guidance, little Mario managed to stab a piece of beef and bring it to his mouth.


    Little Nina set her fork down and pped her hands. "You did it, Mario! When I first learned to use a fork, it took me days to get it right. You''re a little genius-you got it on your first try!"


    Little Mario blushed at the praise, his cheeks turning pink.


    He peeked shyly at Garry.


    Garry, a little tipsy from the whiskey, had watched the whole scene with pride. He set down his ss and ruffled his son''s hair. "You''re doing great, Mario. I''m proud of you."


    Little Mario beamed, the shyest of smiles tugging at his lips.


    Briony watched the exchange in silence, taking in every detail.


    The first thing little Mario did after mastering the fork was to look for Garry''s


    reaction. It was obvious: Garry was the center of his world.


    Which meant Garry had given him all the love and security a child could want.


    It seemed Carol hadn''t lied-Garry truly did care for his son.


    For some reason, realizing this eased something in Briony''s heart.


    She had only just met little Mario an hour ago, but she couldn''t help herself-she


    kept watching him, unable to look away.