He looked up at Briony again, his gaze steady. "Name your terms. What do I have to do for you toe home with our daughter?"


    "If you really insist on using back," Briony took a deep breath, her voice frosty, "then press charges against Rosita and make sure she goes to prison."


    "I can''t do that."


    "Then there''s nothing left to discuss." Briony''s tone was icy and final. "Unless your sones back to life, I''m done makingpromises for you."


    "I promised Randolph I would look after Rosita. I can''t go back on my word. But," Stewart hesitated, "I can promise you this-whatever happens with Rosita from now on, I won''t get involved."


    The implication was clear: if Briony wanted to do anything to Rosita, he wouldn''t stand in her way.


    In other words, he wasn''t going to shield Rosita anymore.


    Briony understood-this was the biggest concession Stewart could make right


    now.


    "Stewart, you''d better keep your word."


    "I don''t need to lie to you about something like this."


    Briony let out a coldugh. "As if you haven''t schemed against me enough times already?"


    "At least now we have our daughter back," Stewart met her eyes, his expression earnest. "Briony, for her sake, can we try to get along?"


    "I''ll go back to Northborough," Briony said coolly, "but I''m not moving into Southcreek Manor."


    Stewart frowned. "Why not?"


    "I told you—I''m never going back there." Her tone was firm. "I have my own ce."


    "If you don''t like Southcreek Manor, we can move somewhere else."


    On this matter, Stewart wouldn''t back down.


    "Briony, we''re both adults. You know as well as I do that holding a grudge isn''t going to solve anything. I gave you my word about Rosita and I intend to keep it. I''m serious about fixing our marriage."


    Briony pressed her lips together, saying nothing.


    "You always liked the Pearbrook neighborhood, right?" Stewart said. "Four years ago, I bought a riverside vi there. It''s ready to move in. If you don''t want to go back to


    Southcreek Manor, we''ll move there instead."


    Briony still didn''t respond.


    Stewart continued, "If there''s anything else you want, now''s the time to ask."


    "Moving is fine. But Irwin isn''ting with us."


    "That''s not possible." Stewart looked her in the eye. "I told you, I''ll treat both kids equally. I''m not asking you to love Irwin like your own, but at the very least, you still need to y the role of a stepmother."


    "You really are..." Briony let out a bitterugh.


    "Stewart, I have to wonder if your son knew you were forcing me to y mom to


    Rosita''s child, do you think he''de back and haunt you at night?"


    Stewart swallowed, his eyes dropping as he fought to contain his emotions.


    "I''ll agree to let Irwin move in, but I won''t take care of him, and he can''t call me Mom. Also, you need to transfer thirty million to me. And when we''re back, our marriage stays private. No one is to know


    Stewart looked up at her.


    She met his gaze, her eyes devoid of any warmth or feeling.


    "That''s my bottom line. If you can''t ept it, then we keep going like this. In six months, I''ll still file for divorce."


    Stewart stared at her, his dark eyes brooding.


    After a moment, he swallowed hard and said quietly, "Fine. I agree."


    Stewart kept his promise. That night, thirty million was wired to Briony''s ount.


    As soon as she received the money, Briony texted James: [Once we''re back in Northborough, set up a meeting with the local rep. Time to talk acquisition.] James replied: [Got it! I''ll handle it right away!]


    Briony put away her phone and began packing her bags.