Back in Northborough, Briony and Ferdinand stepped out of the airport into the crisp afternoon air.


    Gifford was waiting outside, ready to pick up Ferdinand.


    Ferdinand turned to Briony. "Want me to drop you off first?"


    "I''m heading back to Skybreeze Retreat," Briony replied, ncing at her watch. "It''s nearly dinnertime. If you''re not in a rush, why don''t you and Gifforde eat with us before you head home?"


    He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "That phone call you just took-was it from Little Nina?"


    Briony gave a helpless little smile. "Yes. That little rascal found out I was with you and put me on a mission-she wants me to bring you back."


    "Being thought of is a nice feeling," Ferdinand said warmly. "Guess I''ll help youplete your mission. Afterwards, you can report back to Little Nina."


    Brionyughed, and the three of them piled into the car.


    Half an hourter, Gifford pulled into the driveway of Sunset Ridge Vis.


    At the sound of the engine, Little Nina and little Mario came running out to greet them.


    Briony was surprised to see little Mario. "Hey, little Mario-did youe by yourself?"


    He shook his head and pointed toward the house. "Carol."


    Carol appeared in the doorway, smiling. "Mr. Ferguson''s been busy these past couple days, and staying cooped up in a hotel room with little Mario was getting a bit stuffy. I thought I''d shamelessly bring him over to spend some time with you all."


    Briony ruffled little Mario''s hair affectionately. "You and little Mario are always wee here." The unspoken implication: as long as Garry doesn''t tag along.


    Carol didn''t know the details between Briony and Garry, but after a few encounters, she could tell Briony wasn''t the type to hold a grudge. Clearly, her boss must''ve done something wrong. Not that it was Carol''s ce to pry; her main responsibility was taking good care of little Mario.


    Since little Mario adored Briony and Little Nina, Carol made a point of bringing him over more often. The interaction did wonders for the boy.


    She walked over and nodded politely to Ferdinand. "Mr. Ellsworth."


    Ferdinand had recently been helping little Mario with his digestion issues, so he and Carol had beenmunicating quite a bit. "How''s little Mario doing at night? Any improvement with the night sweats?"


    "Much better, actually!" Carol beamed. "Following your advice, he''s even stopped kicking off the covers in his sleep. He used to sleep like a little frog, but not anymore."


    "That''s good." Ferdinand gave little Mario''s head a gentle pat. "Let me check his pulse again once we''re inside."


    "Of course," Carol agreed.


    They all headed inside with the two children in tow.


    Briony took her suitcase up to her room first. She''d barely finished unpacking when her phone vibrated on the bed.


    Stewart.


    She ignored the call, but he tried again and again. Annoyed, she finally blocked his number.


    Ever since their argument in the yard the other day, Briony hadn''t spoken another word to Stewart. At this point, she found even a single extra sentence wasted on him.


    She changed into somefy loungewear and headed downstairs.


    In the living room, Ferdinand and


    James were chatting over tea. Gwendolyn. White had already returned to Silveridge. The two kids yed in the children''s corner, while Carol and Marlene busied themselves in the kitchen.


    Life felt peaceful, even cozy.


    But, as always, someone was bound to disturb the calm.


    A car pulled up outside.


    Briony''s brow knitted. She didn''t need to look to know who it was.


    James set down his teacup and nced at her. "Want to see him? If not, go hide in the kitchen-I''ll handle it."


    Briony, just home and not in the mood for Stewart''s drama, nodded. "You deal


    with him." With that, she turned and headed to the kitchen.


    James let out a sigh. "Persistent as a bad penny. Briony, you must''ve been cursed for eight lifetimes to end up with a guy like that."


    Ferdinand his elegant hands curled


    around his teacup, gave a gentle thoughtful smile. "Life''s


    unpredictable. No one knows what tomorrow brings. All we can do is our best in the moment."


    James shot him a wry look. "How''d you get so philosophical at your age, Mr. Ellsworth?"


    Ferdinand just smiled quietly.


    Just then, Stewart entered through the front door.


    When he spotted Ferdinand, his face darkened even more.


    Last night he''d received a set of anonymous photos-shots of Briony and Ferdinand together,ughing, talking. In some, Ferdinand''s gaze toward Briony was anything but innocent.


    It was obvious Ferdinand was interested in Briony, and worse, Briony seemed to trust himpletely.


    Furious, Stewart had sent Carl to investigate. The photos hade from a private investigator.