Stewart found out about Fiona being sued the next afternoon.


    Fiona was the first to call, her voice sharp and shrill. "That witch Briony! You need to divorce her, now! Can you believe she''s suing me?"


    "She''s suing you?" Stewart frowned. "What did you do?"


    "What could I possibly have done?" Fiona snapped. "I was just standing up for Irwin. It was just a p! She''s a jinx, she deserved it! She lost her own son and now she''s scheming against Irwin, really thinks the Wentworth family is a pushover-"


    "You hit her?" Stewart''s tone turned icy. "Who gave you the right toy a hand on her?"


    "So what if I did? I regret not pping her a few more times-"


    Stewart cut her off, his voice cold and hard. "You''d better tell me everything, right now. Otherwise, don''t expect me to help you with thiswsuit."


    Fiona hesitated, suddenly aware of the anger in Stewart''s voice. Her bravado faded.


    "I—I was just so angry! Irwin is our family''s eldest grandson! And she actually told you to send Irwin away!"


    Stewart''s frown deepened. "Who told you I was sending Irwin away?"


    Fiona faltered, not daring to mention Rosita for fear of making Stewart even angrier. "I went to see Irwin yesterday. He seemed off, so I asked him, and that''s what he told me."


    "Are you sure?" Stewart narrowed his eyes.


    "Is that really the point here?" Fiona''s voice rose in frustration. "The point is, if Briony can plot to drive Irwin out, what''s next? She''lle after me!"


    "This is between Briony and me. It''s not your ce to interfere."


    "Stewart, what are you saying? I''m your mother, Irwin''s grandmother! Irwin is the only heir the Wentworth family has—are you really going to send him away for Briony and that little girl?"


    Stewart rubbed his forehead, exasperated. "You don''t need to worry about any of this."


    "How can I not worry?" Fiona pressed. "What''s going on with you? You''re not actually falling for Briony, are you?"


    Stewart pressed his lips together, silent.


    Fiona sensed trouble. She quickly softened her tone. "Stewart, don''t make the same mistake your father did, please. Don''t forget how hard it was for us to get where we are. You can''t let your feelings cloud your judgment!"


    Stewart gripped his phone, his gaze turning frosty.


    When he still didn''t answer, Fiona grew anxious. "Stewart, are you listening to me?"


    "I''ll have Carl handle thewsuit. You were wrong to hit her-apologize and pay whateverpensation is required. And from now on, stay away from Briony."


    "What do you mean by that—"


    But Stewart had already hung up.


    After handing thewsuit over to Carl, Stewart grabbed his car keys and left the office.


    ...


    That evening, Briony had dinner ns with Cedric rke and Ste.


    Cedric said he''d told Ste''s he''d


    vel


    parents-Ableson and Scarlett Joyner-that he wanted to take Ste and their little one out for some fresh air. The Joyners, touched by his thoughtfulness, happily agreed without suspicion.


    Briony had reserved the restaurant herself—a familiar spot where she and Ste used to go often.


    Four years had passed, and the ce had beenpletely renovated, but the chef and the menu, she''d heard, were unchanged.


    Briony brought Little Nina and James along. They arrived at the private dining room first.


    After a while, Cedric and Ste arrived too, Cedric carrying their baby boy, Aster, as they greeted everyone.


    Briony handed Aster a tiny gold locket-a traditional gift for newborns.


    Ste was surprised and tried to


    refuse, but


    Cedric grinned and


    reminded her that when Little Nina


    worn, he''d given her a gift too.


    "It''s only fair, you have to ept."


    Ste smiled helplessly. "Then on Aster''s behalf, thank you, Ms. Kensington."


    Old friends, now reduced to formalities ''Ms. Kensington,'' ''Mrs. rke.'' The words stung a little.


    Briony felt a pang, but told herself this was for the best. Even if Ste no longer remembered their old friendship, Briony would always treasure those memories.


    After surviving so much loss, Briony knew that nothing mattered more than simply living well.


    She looked Ste over from head to toe, taking in every detail.


    Atst, she smiled through tears. "You''ve put on some weight."


    Ste had given birth less than three months ago. The postpartum rest and breastfeeding had left her fair and Soft, and her appetite had grown-she really had filled out.