"Stewart, if you''re sick, go see a doctor. Stop dragging me into your drama."


    Briony ended the call without waiting for a reply.


    She nearly blocked Cedric rke''s number too, but when she thought of Ste Joyner, she hesitated and let it slide.


    "What were you about to say?" Briony pocketed her phone and looked up at James.


    James cleared his throat and waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing, really. I just wanted to say there''s no need to be so formal between us. We''re like family-no need for all that ''thank you'' business."


    Briony grinned. "Got it. From now on, I''ll treat you like my own little brother. No more formalities."


    "That''s more like it!" James beamed. "We''re both only children, after all. A brother- sister bond works-always have each other''s backs."


    He scratched the back of his head and turned to watch the distant sunset. He looked calm and rxed, but a faint ache stirred in his chest.


    Briony didn''t notice anything amiss; she simply followed his gaze toward the horizon.


    The sun dipped behind the hills, and neon lights flickered on across the city.


    James snuck a sideways nce at her delicate profile-the soft curve of her cheek aglow in thest light. Affection flickered in his eyes, but he kept it hidden beneath the cover of night.


    Northborough, private club, VIP lounge.


    Cedric rke snatched his phone back.


    "What the hell is wrong with you?" He red at Stewart, exasperated. "You''re trying to win your wife back, not issue orders to your employees!"


    Stewart pressed his lips together, silent.


    Cedric looked at him and realized all his advice had probably gone in one ear and out the other.


    He nced at his watch. "I need to be home in half an hour-no, scratch that, fifteen minutes if you count the drive. You''ve got exactly fifteen minutes left, man."


    Stewart shot him a cool look. "Heading back to change another diaper? What, is your nanny just for show?"


    Cedric arched an eyebrow. "You''re missing the point. It''s not about the diapers- it''s about being there! No one can rece a father or a husband."


    Stewart studied him for a moment.


    Ever since Cedric married Ste, he rarely came out for drinks at night. The only reason he was here now was because Stewart had brought up the divorce with Briony.


    Cedric was looking out for Briony for Ste''s sake.


    One thing was obvious: Cedric truly loved his wife.


    "Ste still hasn''t gotten her memory back?" Stewart asked quietly.


    Cedric paused, then shook his head. "No."


    "What if one day she does—and realizes she doesn''t really love you? What then?"


    Cedric stared at him, incredulous. "Stewart! Are you even human? I risked Briony''s wrath lending you my phone, and this is what I get? Are you jealous because my wife and kid are waiting for me at home?"


    Stewart cut in, "That''s not it." He hesitated, then continued. "I just wonder-does love really matter that much in a marriage?"


    "Of course it does!"


    Cedric looked at Stewart like his friend had just lost all credibility as a top-tierwyer.


    "You''re clinging to this marriage with Briony because you love her, aren''t you?" Stewart frowned, thinking it over seriously. "I don''t love her."


    Cedric stared. "Excuse me?"


    "I''m being honest. It was always a transaction between us. We agreed to get what we each needed. I think we''ve both benefited from this marriage-so I don''t see


    any reason for a divorce. That''s the only reason I''m staying."


    Cedric''s expression grew serious. "Are you sure about that?"


    "I''m sure," Stewart replied. "She filed for divorce because she thought I cheated


    on her. She misunderstood my rtionship with Rosita, and she assumed Irwin was my son. I''ve cleared all that up."


    "So you think the only reason she wants a divorce is because of those two things?"


    "What else?" Stewart looked at Cedric, frowning. "Plus, now we have Little Nina. I


    just don''t get why she''s so determined to leave."


    Cedric''s eyes widened. "You really believe that?"


    "Do I look like I''m joking?"


    Cedric fell silent.


    Not only didn''t he look like he was joking-he was so serious it was almost frightening.


    Cedric rubbed his face and sighed. "Listen to me. Isn''t it possible—just possible— that you''ve fallen for Briony and don''t even realize it?"


    "Impossible."


    Stewart was resolute. After a pause, he added, "I just think—if we spent five years as a secret family and managed to get along, and now we have a daughter, why can''t things work out? If it''s because of Mrs. Hudson, then fine-I''ve tried to make amends."


    "Enough!" Cedric jumped to his feet. "You''re hopeless. There''s nothing more I can say. As a friend, all I can offer is this: Take care of yourself. I''m going home-time to feed the baby and be with my wife."


    The door shut behind him, leaving Stewart alone.


    Stewart picked up his ss, downed the drink in one go, and set the empty ss


    back on the coffee table with a clear, ringing sound.


    He sat in the dim light-handsome features shadowed, eyes dark and unreadable.


    James took Little Nina home.


    Briony stayed behind to keep Juliapany.


    The next morning, Julia woke up and slipped right back into her confused,


    childlike state.


    Everything she''d said the night before was gone from her mind.


    Briony decided maybe that was for the best-some memories were better left forgotten.