The next morning, Briony woke up at seven.


    Little Nina was still fast asleep, snuggled under her nkets. Briony leaned over and nuzzled her daughter''s soft, rosy cheek, nting a few gentle kisses. The little girl, lips pursed in a sleepy pout, grumbled, "Mommy, just five more minutes...” and rolled over, her tiny voice muffled by the pillow.


    Briony couldn''t help but chuckle. She pulled the nket up around Nina''s shoulders, then slipped quietly out of bed.


    It was still early. After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Briony applied


    a touch of makeup-subtle, but enough to make her look refreshed. Today was the day she''d be signing her divorce papers. If there was ever a day to hold her head high, it was this one.


    As Briony headed downstairs, she caught sight of Jamesing in from outside. He was carrying a bouquet of white roses.


    She couldn''t help but shake her head, half amused, half exasperated. "You actually went out to buy flowers first thing in the morning?"


    "I ordered themst night," James replied, grinning. "The florist just delivered them."


    He handed her the bouquet with a flourish. "Happy divorce day!"


    Briony took the roses, breathing in their fresh scent. She looked up at him, eyes sparkling withughter. "Thank you."


    Marlene appeared from the kitchen, holding a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. "Ms. Kensington, sir,e have some breakfast before you go. There''s still plenty of time."


    And she was right-the morning stretched ahead of them. Even after breakfast, it wasn''t yet eight.


    James, of course, insisted on apanying Briony to city hall. He seemed intent on bringing the bouquet along, but Briony was having none of it. Thest thing she wanted was to draw even more attention to herself.


    James looked a little disappointed but knew better than to argue. Briony had never been one for public disys.


    He sighed, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Tell me, where do you think Little Nina gets her extroverted streak from?"


    Briony shot him a sidelong look. "You don''t think it''s inherited, do you? Maybe it''s just that her godfather''s a bad influence."


    James paused, then realized she was teasing him. "Well, if she takes after me, she''ll never let anyone push her around. She''ll say what she thinks, and steer clear of losers-what could be better?"


    Briony smiled but didn''t answer. Honestly, she was d her daughter had a bright, outgoing personality. It meant she wouldn''t spend her life second-guessing herself.


    After a leisurely cup of tea, they checked the time and decided to head out. The drive from Skybreeze Retreat to city hall was smooth as silk-every traffic light green, the streets nearly empty.


    "Feels like the universe is on our side today," James said, peering out at the cloudless sky.


    Briony looked out the window too. The sun was shining, not a cloud in sight-a perfect day.


    They arrived at city hall just as the clock struck nine.


    Briony unbuckled her seatbelt, grabbed the divorce agreement already signed by both parties—and stepped out of the car. James walked beside her, shoulder to shoulder, as they entered the building.


    Inside, Stewart was seated in the


    front row. He saw them the moment they came in and slowly pulled himself upright, leaning on the chair for support. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and ck cks, he looked as striking as ever-but visibly thinner, his face pale.


    Briony couldn''t help but remember that awful moment on the cruise ship, the feel


    of the knife in her hand, blood everywhere... The memory brought back the


    metallic tang of blood, making her stomach churn.


    She pressed her lips together, took a steadying breath, and schooled her face to calm.


    Stewart started toward her, his steps unsteady. He had to catch his breath with each stride. Suddenly, he swayed-Carl, standing by with a wheelchair, moved as


    if to help, but Stewart held up a hand to wave him off.


    Carl just sighed in resignation.


    At that moment, Cedric rke rushed through the door. "I''m notte, am I?”


    He nced back and forth between Briony and Stewart. Watching Stewart stubbornly insist on walking, Cedric looked both frustrated and resigned. But as a man, he


    [e


    understood why Stewart couldn''t


    allow himself to appear weak-not


    today.


    Briony produced the divorce documents. "I''ve signed my part. Do you want to look


    it over?"


    "No need," Stewart replied, his voice low. "I wrote the agreement. We''ve been through the courts. With the paperwork and the court records, we can finish everything in one go today."


    Briony nodded, saying nothing more.


    Stewart pulled out their number; it would be their turn soon.


    Briony quietly took a seat by the window.


    James pulled Cedric aside, lowering his voice. "Stewart doesn''t look good. What''s going on?"


    "He shouldn''t even be out of the hospital," Cedric muttered, ncing at Stewart as


    he shuffled over to sit near Briony. "It''s only his second day out of intensive care.


    No one else would pull a stunt like this."


    James fell silent. James fell silent. As much as


    Stewart got under his skin, he couldn''t ignore the fact that Stewart was in this state because Briony had stabbed him. If something happened to Stewart now, Briony wouldhave blood on her hands.