"Because he wasn''t born from Mommy. He has his own mom."
Stewart''s face darkened. "Briony, there''s no need to say things like that to a child."
"Oh, really?" Briony shot him a cold smile. "You want Little Nina to be close to Irwin, but have you even considered whether Irwin can ept this little sister who''s suddenly appeared in his life?"
His expression grew stormy. "So you''re teaching Little Nina to be wary of Irwin?"
"I''m simply telling my daughter the truth. She may be small, but she''s not stupid. She''ll work out for herself how to deal with Irwin."
Stewart looked at Briony, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
"You''ve changed, Briony."
Briony''sughter was short and sharp. "No, Stewart. You just never really knew me. You never really understood Irwin, either. Don''t look at me like that, as though I''m the viin here. Maybe you should ask yourself-do you really love Irwin as much as you say? If you did, why are you always trying to hand off the responsibility of looking after him to someone else?"
Stewart''s gaze turned cold, his dark eyes locked on her.
Briony ignored him, turning to stare out the window, her face unreadable.
Seeing this, Stewart clenched his jaw and said nothing more, turning away with a stony face.
The car fell into heavy silence.
Little Nina reached her arms toward James. "Godfather, cuddle!"
James immediately scooped her into hisp, ruffling her hair. "Missing your godfather already?"
"Mhm." Little Nina rested against his chest, her voice small and a little glum.
James could sense her mood and let out a quiet sigh.
She looked up at him, whispering, "Godfather, I don''t really like him. He always makes Mommy upset. Why is he so annoying?"
James hesitated, unsure how to exin theplicated mess between Stewart and Briony to a child. He settled for, "Let the grown-ups sort out their own problems. All you need to do, Little Nina, is be happy, okay?"
Little Nina rubbed her eyes, drowsy. "I''m kind of sleepy."
He adjusted her in his arms so she''d be morefortable. "Then nap here, sweetheart. I''ll hold you."
"Okay." She yawned, closed her eyes, and soon drifted off.
Half an hourter, the minivan pulled into their neighborhood, winding along the quiet streets.
A few minutester, they drove through the gates of Sunset Ridge Vis.
The car rolled to a stop in the drive.
One by one, everyone got out.
At the sound of the car, Irwin came racing out of the house, unable to contain his excitement.
"Dad! Mom!"
Nine-year-old trwin was dressed in his private school uniform, looking every bit the well-mannered prep schooler. His features had lost their babyish roundness, and there was a distinct trace of Rosita''s beauty in his eyes and brows.
As Irwin ran toward her, Briony''s gaze remained cool and distant.
Stewart stood beside her and waved Irwin over.
Irwin stopped in front of them.
Stewart put a hand on his shoulder. "Irwin, from now on, you should call her Miss Kensington."
Irwin''s grin faded in an instant. He stared at Briony, as if hoping he''d misheard.
She said nothing, didn''t even look at him.
Irwin''s shoulders drooped. It had
been fo
years since he''d seen her. He''d thought maybe she
angry anymore.
"Mom!"
Briony turned at the sound.
James was just arriving with Little Nina in his arms.
The moment Little Nina saw the older boy call Briony ''Mom,'' she tensed, suddenly on high alert.
She reached toward Briony, her voice syrupy-sweet. "Mommy, I want a hug!"
Briony couldn''t help butugh, seeing through her daughter''s little ploy. She took Little Nina into her arms.
Little Nina immediately wrapped her arms tight around Briony''s neck, her big eyes fixed on Irwin.
"So that''s the boy Daddy had with anotherdy?"
She blinked up at Briony, her childish voice ringing out clear as a bell
wonder he doesn''t look anythi 1. thes
you!"
Stewart: "..."
Irwin: "..."
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