"Bryn, have some more." Gwendolyn White reached over and ced a piece of beef on Briony''s te.


    Briony snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Gwendolyn.


    Gwendolyn gave her hand a gentle pat and lowered her voice. "Don''t stare, sweetheart."


    Briony nodded, picked up the beef, and put it in her mouth.


    She stopped ncing at little Mario, but the food tasted like nothing in her mouth.


    Garry kept an eye on little Mario while chatting and sharing drinks with Carney. Every so often, he shot a look in Briony''s direction.


    Briony stayed quiet, head down, focusing on her meal.


    Dinner finally wrapped up around eight.


    At half past eight, Briony brought out the cake and set it on the table.


    This time, she''d made an Elsa-themed cake-Little Nina''s absolute favorite.


    The adults gathered around as Little Nina, wearing a tiny crown, pressed her hands together and made a wish, looking every bit the little princess.


    She muttered under her breath, her words so soft that no one caught what she wished for.


    When she finished, Little Nina grabbed little Mario''s hand. "Let''s blow out the candles together!"


    Candlelight flickered in little Mario''s dark eyes.


    He blinked, still and silent, not saying a word.


    James moved the cake closer to the kids. "Come on, once the candles are out, all


    our princess''s wishes wille true!"


    Little Nina puckered up and blew hard at the candles. "Whooo-"


    In one breath, she managed to snuff out two.


    Satisfied, she turned to little Mario. "There''s two left! Will you blow them out?"


    Little Mario looked up at Garry.


    Garry smiled warmly at him. "Go on, if you''d like."


    Little Mario nodded, imitating Little Nina''s pout, then blew at the candles. "Whooo


    Out went the mes!


    "Little Mario, you''re amazing!" Little Nina pped enthusiastically, her excitement contagious.


    Little Mario''s eyes sparkled. He joined her, pping his little hands, a wide grin revealing a few pearly baby teeth.


    Without warning, Little Nina threw her arms around little Mario and nted a big kiss on his soft cheek.


    "Little Nina!" James cried out in mock despair, but it was toote.


    She''d left a big smooch mark right on little Mario''s face.


    James buried his face in his hands, so dramatically pained he couldn''t even speak.


    Little Mario blinked in confusion, looking utterly baffled and adorable-the kind of look that sent all the adults into fits ofughter.


    Briony watched the sweet exchange, her eyes growing hot.


    If only her brother were still alive, she''d get to see scenes like this every year...


    But life didn''t work that way.


    She dropped her gaze, turned, and slipped into the kitchen.


    Garry''s eyes followed her.


    James shot Garry a cold look, scoffing under his breath before heading after Briony.


    Briony stood at the sink, water running. The gushing sound masked her quiet sobs.


    The kitchen door opened.


    Startled, Briony hurriedly wiped her tears away and turned, trying to act casual when she saw James. "What''s up? Need something?"


    James looked at her red-rimmed eyes and sighed. "Don''t even try tough it off. If you want to cry, just cry. I''m not going to tease you."


    Briony froze.


    "Every year on Little Nina''s birthday, you sneak away to cry. Did you really think we wouldn''t notice?"


    Briony dropped her gaze, pressing her lips together.


    "You always wait until Nina''s asleep, then drink alone. Last year, you passed out


    on the balcony and Mrs. Winslow had to call me to carry you to bed."


    Briony let out a shaky breath. "...Sorry for worrying you guys."


    "Who said you have to apologize?" James said, halfughing, half-exasperated. "We''re family. Say something like that again and I''ll be seriously offended."


    Briony managed a wry smile. "Alright, I won''t."


    "It was seeing little Mario and Little Nina blow out the candles together, wasn''t it?" James asked gently.


    Briony''s nose stung. She nodded. "If my brother were still here, they''d get to blow out candles together every year..."


    James sighed. "Bryn, you have to try to let go. If you keep holding on, he''ll never be able to rest in peace."


    "I know, but I... I just can''t help it." Briony finally broke down, covering her mouth as her shoulders shook with sobs.


    James pulled her into a hug, patting her back. "Let it out, Bryn. It''s okay to cry." Outside the kitchen, Garry quietly turned away and left.


    By the time Briony and James stepped out of the kitchen, Garry and Carol had already taken little Mario home.


    Gwendolyn White had gone upstairs to bathe Little Nina.


    In the living room, Carney was slumped on the sofa, eyes closed, dozing off. He''d


    had a few drinks with Garry and was clearly feeling the effects.


    Briony asked James to fetch a nket to cover Carney.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket.


    She pulled it out. Stewart was calling.


    She didn''t answer.


    The phone rang twice more.


    Still, Briony let it go.


    Finally, Stewart sent a text:


    [Pick up. There''s news about Ms. Hudson.]