"My mother hit you. I told her she''d have to pay youpensation ande apologize in person. If you don''t forgive her, that''s fine. Yesterday, I already had her sent abroad. From now on, she isn''t allowed toe back without my


    permission."


    Stewart stepped forward, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a blue velvet jewelry box.


    When he opened it, the diamond ring inside glimmered beneath the lights—huge and dazzling.


    Briony''s brow furrowed.


    Wasn''t this the same ring Stewart had given Rosita?


    "I promised you a wedding. This ring was custom-made for you—there''s not another like it in the world."


    "Stewart, if you''re going to lie, at least switch up your props." Briony shot him a cold, mocking look. "I saw that ring on Rosita''s Instagram ages ago. It''s the one you proposed to her with! Who exactly are you trying to disgust with this stunt?" For a moment, Stewart was thrown off guard-but only for a moment.


    "Seems Rosita''s done quite a few things behind my back." He didn''t bother to exin further.


    He simply took out the ring and held it out to Briony. "Look inside the band. You''ll see the initials of every part of your name engraved there. This ring was always meant for you."


    "True or not, it doesn''t matter to me anymore."


    Briony''s gaze was icy. "Stewart, I don''t care! Even if you cut out your heart and handed it to me, I wouldn''t go back to you!"


    Stewart stared at her, eyes never wavering.


    They stood locked in a silent standoff.


    After a long moment, Stewart''s lips curled into a smile as he rolled the ring between his fingers, his dark eyes glinting with a cold, unsettling amusement.


    "You''re really something else, Bryn. Absolutely ruthless."


    He was smiling, but there was nothing warm about it.


    "But that''s alright. We''ve got a whole week."


    He ced the ring back in its box, snapped it shut, and set it on the nightstand. "I''m sure you''ll eventually put it on willingly."


    A chill ran down Briony''s spine.


    Something was seriously off with Stewart right now.


    He seemed...unhinged.


    "Stewart," Briony ventured cautiously, "didn''t you always dote on Irwin the most? How could you bear to send him away?"


    "Garry wanted him." Stewart''s lips


    curled in a small, cold smile. His voice was low. "He offered


    something even more imm


    exchange. I agreed."


    "What?" Briony pressed, "What did he trade you?"


    Stewart didn''t answer.


    in


    Instead, he turned and walked over to the sofa, settling down and beckoning her with a soft tone.


    the Something. That chain is


    "Come long


    for a


    you can move about


    You''ve been unconscious


    Yoday and a half. You need to get


    your strength back."


    As if she could eat.


    She''d been missing for over a day-who knew what was happening outside?


    Was little Nina scared?


    Did Crystal, Marlene, or the others think to call the police?


    As if reading her mind, Stewart smiled faintly.


    "You don''t need to worry about your daughter, or those so-called friends and family of yours. I''ve been messaging them from your phone. Right now, they all think you left on ast-minute business trip. Every three hours, I text


    Crystal-mimicking your style-to


    check on Nina."


    "That new assistant you hired is pretty responsible. She''s sent over several videos


    of your daughter already."


    Stewart''s gaze deepened, the smile in his eyes growing darker. "Bryn, our little girl is just fine. So there''s nothing for you to worry about."