"I''ve given you a clear choice. Think it over," Briony said, then gestured toward the door. "That''s all I have to say. You can go now."


    Stewart''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he clenched his jaw, tension etched deep into his face.


    For a long moment, he stood there, fists tightly balled at his sides. Then, finally, his knuckles loosened, and he turned and left without another word.


    Outside, the sound of an engine rumbled to life. It faded gradually, until the estate was silent once again.


    "Bryn!"


    James stood up and crossed the room to face Briony.


    "Have you lost your mind? Aren''t you worried Stewart might actually ept your terms? What if he just sends Irwin over to Southcreek Manor? It''s not that far-he could visit anytime, and then what would you do—"


    "He won''t agree to it." Briony''s voice was steady as she looked James in the eye. "Not just because he favors Irwin so much. There''s another reason. I know someone who absolutely won''t let him send Irwin back to Southcreek Manor so easily."


    James frowned. "Who? You mean Rosita?"


    "Rosita counts, sure," Briony said with a smallugh, "but there''s someone else. Someone who would hate the idea of Stewart sending Irwin away even more."


    "Someone else..." James thought for a second, then his expression cleared. "Jeannie?"


    Briony smiled.


    "So Jeannie was the one who tipped you off about Irwin visiting Rosita?"


    "That''s right."


    James shook his head. "Another conniving girl with a one-track mind. Poor Irwin he''s bound to end up a mess! I don''t feel sorry for him, but honestly, all the sins of the adults seem to fall back onto him. It''s hard not to pity the guy."


    "Rosita and Jeannie are both desperate to climb thedder. Let


    them tear each other apart-I''m keeping my distance. Besides


    Ottilie''s big win is less than a month away."


    James knew Briony''s calctions, but he couldn''t help worrying. "But what if Stewart really does send Irwin away?"


    "Even if he does, I''m not going back," Briony replied without hesitation.


    James''s eyes widened. "Seriously?"


    "What''s with that look?" Briony couldn''t help butugh. "When I gave him that ultimatum, I never actually intended to go back."


    "So you were just toying with him?"


    "He''s yed his games with me


    more than once. Returning the favor once isn''t so terrible. And honestly, the whole point of that condition was to make Jeannie sweat."


    She paused, then added, "Jeannie is too impatient. She''ll go straight to Rosita when she panics."


    Realization dawned in James''s eyes, and he gave her a thumbs up. "Wow! You''re getting pretty cunning, Bryn!"


    "What choice do I have? Stewart has never truly considered letting me go. If I want out, I have to figure it out myself."


    Their recent arguments had only made Stewart''s possessiveness more obvious,


    and Briony felt the pressure mounting.


    She knew she couldn''t drag this out any longer.


    This marriage had to end-soon.