"No matter what I do, I''ll always be Mario''s biological mother. It''s not just Ms. Riley —even Stewart has no right to stop me from loving my son."


    Lorna looked at Briony, her gaze steady.


    It had only been a day, but Briony already seemed different.


    "Ms. Kensington, I think there''s been a misunderstanding. I''m simply raising Mario the way Stewart asked me to," Lorna replied with a calm smile. "If you don''t approve of Stewart''s methods, perhaps you should discuss them with him directly."


    Briony hade for two reasons: to see her son, and to finally have a clear conversation with Stewart.


    She turned to Carol. "Where is Stewart?"


    Carol nced at Lorna.


    "He''s in the study," Lorna answered. "But I can''t promise he''ll want to see you."


    Briony ignored her, still addressing Carol. "Let him know I need to talk to him about Mario''s upbringing."


    Carol nodded. "Of course, I''ll let Mr. Wentworth know."


    She set down what she was carrying and started toward the stairs.


    "I''ll go," Lorna interjected, stopping Carol. "He''s been busytely and doesn''t like interruptions."


    Carol looked at Briony, caught in the middle.


    Briony said nothing, which was as good as agreement.


    Lorna headed upstairs. As soon as she was gone, Carol hurried over to Briony, lowering her voice. "Ms. Kensington, please don''t take Ms. Riley''s words to heart. She''s not the warmest person, but she does care about Master Mario..."


    Briony met her eyes. "Carol, I trust you''ll look after Mario. But that doesn''t mean I approve of how Stewart and Lorna treat him."


    Carol pressed her lips together, wanting to say more but holding back.


    Soon, Lorna returned from upstairs.


    She looked at Briony coolly. "Stewart will see you now."


    Briony took Little Nina''s hand and made her way up the stairs.


    Little Nina''s eyes darted around, taking in everything.


    Briony nced down at her daughter. The little girl hadn''t said a word since they arrived, her big eyes full of curiosity.


    Briony knew the truth: Little Nina missed her father too. Kids were kids, after all. After hearing Mario praise Stewart so many times, Little Nina Couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy, though she''d never admit it and always insisted she didn''t care for her dad.


    But Briony had raised her daughter; she could see the hope written all over that little face.


    The study door was ajar. Briony paused at the threshold.


    Stewart stood by the window, and as he heard footsteps, he turned.


    Their eyes met. His voice was cool and even. "Come in."


    Briony led Little Nina inside.


    Stewart''s gaze softened as itnded on his daughter''s cherubic face. A faint smile touched his lips. "Little Nina, it''s been a while."


    Little Nina pouted and huffed, turning her round face away. "I''m just here to help Mom find Mario. I didn''te to see you!"


    Her words were sharp, but her stubborn act only made her more endearing. Stewart couldn''t help but smile, his heart melting a little. But he had no idea how to talk to a little girl-any affection he tried to show came out awkward and stiff.


    "Mario will be back soon. Just wait a bit longer."


    That same cold, distant tone!


    Little Nina frowned, hands on her hips, ring up at him.


    She might have been a champion at pouting, but she was stubborn to the core. She really did want to spend time with her dad-but every time, he just greeted her with a few icy words and never even smiled.


    Sometimes, Little Nina wondered if maybe her dad just didn''t like her very much. And if someone didn''t care about her, she certainly wouldn''t go out of her way to please him!


    "You''re so mean! It''s Saturday, you know! How could you make Mario go to his lessons? Our teacher says weekends are for ying and having fun. If you keep this up, Mario''s going to be worn out! You don''t care about kids at all!"


    She used Mario as an excuse, but deep down, she just wanted her dad to pay


    attention to her, tofort her.


    Stewart stared at her indignant little face, momentarily at a loss.


    The air grew tense.


    He pressed his lips together, not knowing how to cate his daughter, and turned


    to Briony for help.


    She wasn''t surprised in the least by his reaction.


    Briony bent down and gently stroked Little Nina''s hair. "Why don''t you go downstairs and find Carol? I need to talk to your dad alone for a moment."