The private investigator had been in frequent contact with Rositately.


    Stewart was well aware that Rosita was always stirring up trouble, but at the moment, he simply didn''t have the energy to deal with her. He knew exactly why she''d arranged for those photos tond in his hands-she wanted to drive a wedge between him and Briony.


    He told himself he shouldn''t stoop to responding to such petty tactics. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t get those images out of his mind. The thought of Briony and Ferdinand together made something hot and primal burn in his chest.


    In the end, he couldn''t resist. He asked Carl to look into Briony''s recent activities.


    What he found shocked him: Briony had spent the entire week with Ferdinand. The filming for the reality show hadsted only three days, but after that, she and Ferdinand had driven out to the countryside together. Now they were back in Northborough-and Briony had even brought Ferdinand home.


    Stewart''s gazended on Ferdinand, his dark eyes cold and sharp.


    Ferdinand sat calmly, setting his teacup down before meeting Stewart''s stare. "Is there something you''d like to say to me, Mr. Wentworth?"


    James gave a low, derisive snort. "He''s probably wondering if you''ve got a cure for insanity, Ferdinand."


    Ferdinand paused, raising a dark eyebrow, but kept his focus on Stewart.


    Stewart stepped forward, barely sparing James a nce. He never took James''s constant provocations seriously. He knew, deep down, that to Briony, James was nothing more than a little brother.


    But Ferdinand was different.


    Ferdinand was a mystery-on the surface, all warmth and gentleness, but Stewart could sense there was something hidden beneath, a side of the man that even he couldn''t uncover.


    "Mr. Ellsworth," Stewart said, his voice icy, "my wife and I are not getting a divorce. I''d appreciate it if you kept your distance from her."


    Ferdinand offered a faint, cool smile. "I think you''re mistaken, Mr. Wentworth. Briony and I are just friends. Besides, whether you get a divorce or not isn''t really up to you, is it?"


    "Briony?" Stewart''s fists clenched. "Who said you could call her that?"


    Ferdinand''s smile didn''t waver. "She did, of course."


    James nced at Ferdinand, taking in his unruffled, refined demeanor. Compared to Stewart''s cold intensity, Ferdinand looked positively serene as if nothing could ruffle him. But it was that very calm, the gentle simmer beneath the surface, that made James uneasy.


    He pressed his lips together, then turned to Stewart.


    "We''re all Briony''s friends and family," James said quietly. "We care about her, just like Mrs. Hudson does. The difference is, we actually respect her. Can you say the same?"


    Stewart''s eyes darkened as he stared at James.


    James''s face was serious. "Stewart,


    who''s hurt Briony the


    the pyou. If you''re really a man,


    just Sign the divorce papers and let her go. I''d actually respect you for it."


    Stewart''s voice was like frost. "Who do you think you are, meddling in our marriage?"


    "To me and Little Nina, James means far more than you ever will."


    Briony''s voice came from behind him.


    Stewart froze, turning around.


    Briony was holding a dish she''d just finished cooking. She ced it on the dining table and looked straight at Stewart.


    "If you think they have no right to speak with you," she said coolly, "then let''s get everything out in the open now."


    Stewart watched her, wordless.


    Briony stood beside the table, her gaze icy and unwavering. "Listen carefully, Stewart. I''m never going back to Sunset Ridge."


    Stewart frowned. "We made an agreement before you came back."


    "We did," Briony replied, her tone sharp. "But Irwin met with Rosita again, didn''t he?"


    Stewart faltered.


    A cold, bitter smile curled Briony''s lips. "See? You''ve never kept your promises to me. Before I moved back, you swore Irwin and Rosita were done for good. But in reality, they''re still in contact and you lied tome again, for Irwin''s sake. So consider our agreement void."


    "It''s a misunderstanding. Irwin, he—"


    "There''s no need to defend him." Briony cut him off. "Every second I spend in a house with Irwin is torture for me."


    Stewart looked at her, his voice low. "Is it really so impossible for you to tolerate Irwin?"


    "Yes," Briony said, her expression cold and resolute. "You keep saying


    you want to fix our marriage. Then


    make a choice: send Irwin away, or Nina and I will leave. You decide."