Briony stood her ground, eyeing Stewart from several feet away. "Stewart, the hearing is tomorrow. I''ve already hired awyer. If you want to talk about divorce, take it up with my attorney."


    Stewart pressed his lips together, looking resigned. He let out a soft sigh. "I just wanted to ask-how''s Mrs. Hudson doing?"


    "That''s really none of Attorney Wentworth''s concern," Briony replied coolly.


    Her tone was icy, but Stewart acted oblivious, speaking as if everything were perfectly normal. "If her treatment isn''t going well, I''ve contacted some specialists overseas. I can arrange for them toe over anytime."


    "That won''t be necessary," Briony snapped, unable to stand his patronizing attitude. "I haveplete faith in Dr. Ellsworth."


    "Ferdinand?" Stewart''s lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "How much do you really know about him? Briony, four years have passed and you''re still just as na?ve."


    Briony could hardly believe it—what was wrong with this man?


    Who she trusted was none of his business.


    She couldn''t be bothered to argue. "Just go, Stewart. From now on, let''s stay out


    of each other''s lives. For anything concerning the divorce, talk to mywyer."


    "It''s just as well if you don''t show up in court tomorrow," Stewart said, his expression a blend of a smirk and a sneer. "It''ll save you a wasted trip."


    Briony''s face darkened. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    "I told you there''s no way you''re winning this case." Stewart''s eyes were sharp, his gaze unwavering. "Briony, we''re not getting divorced."


    His certainty was almostughable.


    "Stewart, you don''t run the court."


    "As awyer, I respect thew," Stewart replied calmly. "But things aren''t as simple as you think. If you want to go through with this, I''ll go through it with you. But the oue-I''ll decide that."


    With those words, Stewart turned and walked away.


    Briony stared after him, her expression troubled.


    Stewart''s words haunted her for the rest of the day, leaving her restless and on edge.


    She tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.


    The next morning, she called herwyer and ryed everything Stewart had said the night before.


    After listening, herwyer sighed. "The hearing''s this morning. All we can do now is go in and fight for the best oue."


    "Alright. I''ll wait for your update."


    After hanging up, Briony got out of bed, washed up, and brought Little Nina with her to visit Julia.


    Julia had been much more stabletely, and Briony thought it was about time for Little Nina to see her grandmother.


    Back when Julia had named the twins, one was supposed to be ''Milo'' and the other ''Nina.''


    But Milo hadn''t survived, leaving only Little Nina.


    They parked in the underground garage of the apartment building, and as Briony led Little Nina into the elevator, they ran into Ferdinanding out of the apartment across the hall.


    "Dr. Ellsworth!" Little Nina let go of Briony''s hand and ran straight toward him.


    Ferdinand blinked in surprise, then bent down to scoop her up.


    "Dr. Ellsworth, do you live here too?" Little Nina asked, eyes wide.


    "I do. I live right across from your grandmother."


    "Wow!" Little Nina beamed. "So whenever I visit Grandma, I cane y with you too?"


    Ferdinand smiled warmly. "Of course you can."


    Briony walked up to them. "Heading to work?"


    "Not just yet. I wanted to check in on Mrs. Hudson. She had a rough night, but


    after a bit of acupuncture, she finally got some sleep."


    Briony frowned. "Why didn''t anyone call me?"


    "It was past one in the morning," Ferdinand said gently. "Gina wanted to call, but I told her I could handle it."


    Briony felt a rush of gratitude. She looked at Ferdinand and said sincerely, "Thank you, Dr. Ellsworth."


    He gave a small smile. "You don''t have to be so formal with me."


    Briony smiled, then turned to unlock the door and led the way inside.


    Gina was already in the kitchen making breakfast. Hearing theme in, she poked her head out.


    "There you are!" She caught sight of Little Nina in Ferdinand''s arms, her face lighting up. "What a pretty girl! She looks just like her mother."


    Briony ruffled Little Nina''s hair and smiled. "Nina, say hello to Grandma Gina."


    "Hello, Grandma Gina! My name''s Little Nina. Thank you for taking care of Grandma for us!" The little girl''s manners were impable.


    Gina was delighted. "Oh, listen to her! What a sweet girl. Just look at those rosy cheeks and that bright smile. Mrs. Kensington, you''ve done a wonderful job raising her!"


    Briony nced at Ferdinand with a smile. "Dr. Ellsworth deserves the credit."


    He shook his head, smiling. "I just help out. It''s really Mrs. Kensington who does all the hard work."


    Gina looked back and forth between Briony and Ferdinand, grinning. "You two have known each other for two, maybe three years now, right?"


    Briony nodded. "About that long. Why?"


    "Well, that makes you old friends! So why are you still so formal with each other?


    All this ''Dr. Ellsworth'' and ''Mrs. Kensington''-it sounds so stiff! Mrs. Kensington, you were never this formal with Mr. Dney!"


    Briony paused, at a loss for words.


    Ferdinand gave a small, polite chuckle. "I guess I''m just old-fashioned. I''m used to


    it."


    Briony nced at him, amused.


    She''d always thought Ferdinand was the kind of man who could handle any awkward situation with grace and once again, he proved her right.


    Julia slept through the whole morning. Ferdinand checked in on her and reassured everyone that she was fine-she''d just had a rough night and needed the rest.


    A little after eleven, Briony''s phone rang.


    Thewyer was calling-the case was over.