The DNA results were in-Irwin and Randolph''s father shared no blood rtion. Stewart had been holding himself together ever since learning the truth.


    During those three days in Westenmar when he visited little Mario, he''d seemed perfectly fine, showing no sign that anything was wrong. But right before he returned home, he made a stop at Dr. Riley''s office.


    It was there, with Dr. Riley, that Stewart suffered another episode. If Dr. Riley hadn''t been present, Stewart might not have made it through that day at all.


    No one else knew about this except Carl, Dr. Riley, and Cedric rke.


    After a week of secret treatment, Stewart instructed Carl to take Irwin to Westenmar.


    But Garry still refused to hand little Mario over right away.


    When little Mario was born, his condition had been critical-he only survived thanks to the relentless efforts of Garry''s medical research team. There was a particr injection he needed to receive periodically, and now, there was only one dose left.


    Only after that final dose would little Mario truly be considered healthy.


    This was the one hold Garry still had over Stewart.


    Stewart''s voice was low and steady. "Let theme out."


    Garry hesitated at themand.


    Stewart nced at a surveince camera in the corner. "If I''m not mistaken,


    Briony and James are watching the monitors right now, aren''t they?"


    Garry grinned. "I should''ve known you''d figure that out, Stewart. Nothing gets past you, does it?"


    "I know you better than you think," Stewart replied, his dark eyes giving nothing away. "You went to all this trouble to bring us here wasn''t it just to watch the show?"


    "Exactly. Ever since Randolph''s gone, my life''s been nothing but dull."


    Garry''s smile faded; his gaze turned cold and sharp. "Stewart, if it weren''t for you, Randolph would still be alive!"


    "Then me me. This is my burden. There''s no reason to drag anyone else into


    it."


    Stewart''s tone was measured, his face unreadable. "Briony and I are divorced. To me, she''s simply my son''s mother now. There''s no reason for you to go after her."


    "Stewart, do you take me for a fool, saying something like that?”


    "Believe me or don''t. Makes no difference." Stewart looked Garryin the eye. “Let Briony take my son home. I''ll stay. Do whatever er you want with me."


    Garry scoffed. "Trying to y the hero, are you?"


    "No. I just think this is between us. No one else needs to get hurt."


    Stewart''s voice grew even quieter. "You knew Randolph better than anyonez If he could see you now-using an innocent child to threaten his mother-do you@eally think he wouldn''t despise you for it?"


    The words hit Garry right where it hurt.


    His expression darkened. He stubbed out his cigar and tossed it into the ashtray.


    "Let them out," he finally muttered.


    No sooner were the words spoken than Briony rushed into the living room.


    James hurried after her.


    "Mario!" Briony''s voice broke as she called her son''s name. "Mario..."


    Stewart saw her and his brow creased, but he didn''t say a word. He just bent down and set his son on the floor.


    "That''s your mom," he said softly, ruffling Mario''s hair. "Go to her."


    Little Mario obediently walked toward Briony.


    She ran to him, dropped to her knees, and swept him into her arms.


    Mario looked a little dazed, not sure what was happening.


    Briony held her son''s small, thin body tightly, the dam of emotion finally breaking.


    "I''m sorry, sweetheart. I''m so sorry.


    Mommy


    living


    didn''t protect you..." Her


    sobs echoed through the


    room.


    James stood nearby, watching the scene unfold, his eyes red with tears.