Lately, Stewart''s habit of showing up unannounced-whenever and wherever he pleased—had be so routine that both Briony and James barely batted an


    eye.


    a ce like Northborough, if Stewart wanted to find someone, it was almost effortless.


    James nced at Briony. "Want to deal with him?"


    Briony already knew why Stewart was here, blocking her path. It was almost certainly about herwsuit against Fiona.


    She gently stroked Little Nina, who was already dozing off in her arms, and told James, "Take Little Nina to the car and wait for me."


    James nodded, scooping up Little Nina and heading towards where their car was parked.


    Cedric rke stepped forward, positioning himself squarely in front of Stewart, his expression serious. "If you''re here to settle things, then talk it through, like an adult."


    Stewart''s dark eyes fixed on Cedric rke. "You know about this too?"


    "I ran into her at the hospital yesterday," Cedric replied with a sigh. "Her face was swollen so badly it was terrifying. Your mother really went too far this time-she even ruptured Briony''s eardrum."


    Stewart''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze flicking to Briony. "What did the doctor say?"


    Briony ignored him, turning instead to Cedric rke. "It''s gettingte. Why don''t you take Star and Aster home?"


    Cedric agreed immediately. He knew this was something Stewart and Briony needed to hash out themselves. "Alright, we''ll head back. You two... try to keep it civil, okay?" Hisst words were directed at Stewart.


    Stewart didn''t reply.


    With a resigned sigh, Cedric gathered up his son in one arm and wrapped the other around his wife. The family headed off down the sidewalk, leaving Briony and Stewart standing alone under the glow of a streemp, shadows stretching long in the deepening night.


    There was barely a step between them, yet for Stewart, it suddenly felt as if Briony was standing on the other side of an unbridgeable gulf.


    Briony had no patience for games tonight. She got straight to the point.


    "If you''re here about thewsuit, let me be clear: I''m not withdrawing it."


    Stewart studied her, his eyes unreadable. "I didn''te to talk you out of it."


    A faint, cold smile curved Briony''s lips. "Then what do you want? To talk about divorce?"


    Stewart pressed his lips together,


    silent for a moment, as if weighing


    every word. Finally, he spoke in a low


    voice never expected my mother toy a hand on you. I''m here to apologize on her behalf."


    "That''s not necessary," Briony replied coolly. "It was Fiona who hit me. She''s the


    one who should be apologizing-not you."


    "I won''t be getting directly involved in the case, but she is my mother. I can''t just


    look the other way. I''ll have Carl handle the legal matters."


    Briony wasn''t surprised by Stewart''s arrangement. If he defended Fiona personally, he''d be standing in direct opposition to Briony-the rift between them made unmistak public. Stewart was clearly aware of this, which was why he''d delegated the task to Carl.


    "I''ve already submitted all my evidence. My attorney will fight for what I''m seeking."


    She paused, then added, "Is there anything else? If not, I''d like to go home and get some rest."


    "There''s more." Stewart''s gaze was intense, his voice quiet but resolute. "I''ve spoken with Irwin. I''m sending him away."


    Briony arched an eyebrow, her eyes frosty. "And?"


    "You told me..." Stewart hesitated, his voice dropping. "You said if Irwin left, you''d bring our daughter home."


    "Oh, did I?" Briony smiled, a mocking little twist of her lips. Meeting Stewart''s confused stare, she said lightly, "Well, I''ve changed my mind."


    Stewart''s jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"


    "I mean I changed my mind." Her eyes gleamed, but her smile was icy. "Stewart,


    are you angry right now?"


    "Briony." Stewart''s voice was taut, every word clipped. "I''m serious."


    "I was serious, too. Four years ago."


    She continued, her tone hardening. "Four years ago, I meant every word. I went to Cloudcrest City. I went to Ghana. I even finished that painting you wanted. But in the end, did you keep your promise?"


    Stewart was silent, stunned.


    "Stewart, I''m just treating you the way you treated me. You have no right to be angry."


    She met his gaze, her eyes glinting with cold, unwavering resolve.