"Irwin is still just a child. Where exactly do you expect me to send him?"


    "That''s not really my problem," Briony replied, her tone detached and unconcerned.


    "Briony, even if you''re angry, that''s no reason to say something like this."


    "My son is dead, Stewart. Rosita killed him. Do you really think I''m just being petty?"


    Stewart''s gaze darkened as he stared at her.


    Briony let out a coldugh. "Moral lectures won''t work on me anymore, Stewart. Besides, you''ve got money to burn-doesn''t Jeannie look after Irwin just fine?"


    "She''s just his teacher. That''s not the same as a mother."


    "Then send Irwin back to Rosita. As far as I''m concerned, I had one son-and he''s gone. You took him from me, ignored my wishes, and buried him in your family''s plot! Stewart, tell me, how am I supposed to forgive that?"


    Stewart faltered, stunned.


    Briony fought to keep her grief at bay, her voice icy. "Don''t act like this is tearing you up inside. If you can''t stand to see Irwin suffer, then let me and Little Nina go. You two can y happy family, live in peace andfort, never worrying whether I''ll be cruel to Irwin again."


    "Briony, are you serious right now?"


    "Do I look like I''m joking?" She let out a sharp, bitterugh. "Honestly, Stewart, just look at Jeannie. Irwin needs a mother-she''s perfect. Marry Jeannie, and you get a ready-made wife and a live-in nanny. Two birds, one stone."


    Stewart red at her, his jaw tight.


    At that, James, who''d just taken a sip of tea, sputtered and nearly choked.


    Ferdinand calmly handed him a napkin.


    James wiped his mouth and leaned closer to Ferdinand, muttering under his breath, "You can tell-Bryn''s really reached her limit."


    Ferdinand just smiled faintly. "She knows exactly what she''s doing."


    Stewart''s eyes shed with anger. "Briony, I told you-Jeannie is just Irwin''s teacher."


    "I''m rmending her in all


    seriousness," Briony replied coldet ay, if Irwin stays, then Little


    Nina and I are leaving. It''s your call."


    Seeing that she wasn''t going to back down, Stewart''s expression grew even darker.


    "Briony, Irwin is just a child. He didn''t choose his parents. No one would choose to have Rosita as a mother-you can''t me him for that!"


    "Sorry, but I''m no saint. Every time I think about my own son, I can barely stop myself from wanting to wring his neck!"


    "You" Stewart stared at her in disbelief. "How could you think something so-so vicious-"


    Briony actuallyughed, the sound edged with hysteria.


    "Count yourself lucky I still have Little Nina. For her sake, I won''t do anything illegal. But you should know if I, as his stepmother, decide to make Irwin''s life hell, he won''t stand a chance."


    Stewart''s hands clenched into fists, his lips pressed into a hard, thin line.


    "I know how much you treasure Irwin. Here''s what I''ll do I''ll give you three days


    to think it over. After that, I want your answer."


    She paused, then added, her voice t:


    "You and your precious legal skills, Attorney Wentworth. But thew exists for everyone, not just for you. If I insist on a divorce, you know as well as I do that it''ll happen, o matter how ugly it gets."