A cold, bitter sneer twisted in Briony''s heart.
She stared at him, expressionless. "So what, am I supposed to praise you now?"
"That won''t be necessary." Stewart''s lips curled into a faint, almost teasing smile. "I just wanted to prove to you there''s nothing I wouldn''t do for you."
"Is that so?" Briony let out a sharp, humorlessugh. "Then if I told you to throw yourself into the ocean right now, could you do it?"
Stewart faltered.
But after a beat, he gave a low, resigned chuckle. "You want the truth?"
"Absolutely," Briony snapped, her eyes icy. "The sea''s right there. If you jump, I''ll forgive you. If you survive, consider yourself lucky. If you die-well, that''s what you deserve."
"Bryn, I can''t die."
He looked at her intently, his tone oddly sincere. "Someone still needs me."
"Of course you can''t bear to die. Irwin still needs his perfect father, doesn''t he?" Briony jerked her foot away, ring at him with cold contempt.
"But Stewart, do you know how many times I''ve wished you would just hurry up and die? Yet somehow, viins always seem to live the longest.”
"I know I can''t win against you. So, I hope this is thest time you force yourself into my life. You say I owe you this wedding-fine, I''m swallowing my disgust to repay that debt. But after tonight, I want my freedom back."
The hatred zing in her eyes was unmistakable.
Stewart''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he stood. His reply was quiet, almost solemn. "I understand."
...
Night fell.
On the deck, the wedding march began to y.
The officiant stood at his podium, watching as Briony, leaning on Bianca and the nurse for support, limped down the aisle toward Stewart.
It was the same officiant who had presided over their divorce in Ghana four years
ago. He looked a little older now, but wore the same suit as back then.
For a moment, Briony felt dazed, as if time had folded back on itself.
Except this time, there were no guests. Only a few staff from the weddingpany, and Bianca.
Stewart produced a pair of wedding rings-the very same ones Briony had refused at Skybreeze Retreat. Along with them, the ostentatious diamond ring.
He slid the wedding band onto Briony''s ring finger, the diamond onto her index finger.
When it was Briony''s turn to give him a ring, she deliberately fumbled. The ring slipped from her hand, skittering across the deck.
Bianca rushed to fetch it and handed it back to her.
Briony''s face was a mask of indifference as she let the ring slip from her fingers again.
But this time, Stewart seemed to anticipate her move. The moment she let go, he reached out and caught it, sliding the band onto his own ring finger with calm defiance, never breaking eye contact.
The officiant announced the union in a perfunctory tone.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Briony red at Stewart, her eyes cold as ice.
He slipped an arm around her waist, leaning in slowly-
Briony frowned, turning her head away.
His kissnded on the corner of her mouth.
She tensed, shoving him off.
But Stewart only smiled faintly, and in one Swift motion, scooped her up
and
Sode toward their "bridale
The wedding march echoed behind them.
Briony looked up at the night sky.
It was pitch ck. No moon, no stars.
This was a night destined for despair.
Inside, the bed was newly dressed in
l.ne
bright red sheets, rose petals scattered across the floor. A big, bold Congrattions" banner hung over the headboard.
Everything looked perfect. Romantic, even.
Stewart set her down on the bed.
What came next was all too obvious.
He loosened his tie and bent to press a kiss to the pale skin of her neck-
Briony''s face was stone cold as she slid her hand beneath the pillow.
Stewart''s lips grazed her throat, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw her draw a knife from under the pillow.
He saw it. He knew what she meant to do. And yet, he did nothing. He closed his eyes, as if resigned to his fate.
The next instant-searing pain tore through his back.
His body went rigid.
The sharp tang of blood filled the air.