Ste snapped, "Cedric rke, stop making decisions for me! I never agreed to this!"


    The little bundle in her arms, Aster, flinched at her raised voice. His lips began to quiver, on the verge of tears.


    Briony quickly reached over and gently patted Aster''s chest, soothing him. "You really need to rein in that temper of yours, Ste. Look, you nearly scared Aster to death."


    Ste gave her son a gentle pat on the bottom and murmured a few soft,forting words.


    Only then did the furrow in Aster''s tiny brow begin to ease.


    Ste gazed down at her son and let out a sigh. "Bryn, I just don''t think I''m cut out to be a mom."


    Briony patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don''t say that. Aster''s healthy and adorable—that''s all thanks to you. Give yourself time. Every new mom has to go through an adjustment period. Besides, Dr. rke is a good husband and a devoted father. Don''t get stuck in your own head."


    Ste looked up at Briony, her eyes searching. "Bryn, I just find it so hard. How did you manage to get through everything you did?"


    "Silly girl." Briony gave her a mock re. "Everyone''s story is different, every choice is different. You and Dr. rke are happily married. Your baby just adds to the joy you already have. For me, Little Nina was my salvation, my reason to keep going. There''s noparison."


    "And now?" Ste pressed, holding her gaze. "Last night I grilled Cedric about everything that''s happened these past years. He told me you''re nning to fight Stewart for Mario''s custody."


    Briony''s lips curled in a faint smile. "As a mother, I can''t agree with Stewart''s way of raising him. So yes, I''m nning to seek custody. But right now, Mario actually wants to stay with his dad."


    Ste sighed, resigned. "I guess boys always tend to side with their fathers."


    "I know," Briony said softly. "So I''m not going to force it. I''ve made up my mind- I''m going to work hard, make a living, and build myself up. That way, if Mario ever needs me, I''ll have the strength to help him. I want to be someone who can stand toe-to-toe with Stewart, not just for Mario, but for myself."


    Upstairs, around thending, Cedric rke paused, listening to Briony''s words. He pressed his lips together, sighing quietly to himself.


    Much as he thought Stewart was a jerk, he had to admit-Stewart had won this round.


    Briony had fallen apart for just one day. Cedric had visited her when she was discharged from the hospital, expecting to offerfort, but to his surprise, she was already a different person.


    She was calm, as if yesterday''s emotional copse had never happened.


    Cedric was stunned. He didn''t know whether to credit Stewart for knowing Briony so well, or Briony herself, for her resilience. In just twenty-four hours, she''de to terms with everything.


    Maybe it was for the best. Briony had weathered this storm and found new resolve. Stewart had achieved his goal.


    Even if Stewart were no longer around, Briony would be able to raise her two kids and carve out a good life for them.


    Cedric shook his head, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for the guest room.


    Downstairs, Briony and Ste sat together on the living room sofa.


    Briony lifted Aster into herp and tapped his tiny nose. "Look at him frowning- he''s got your expression, Ste."


    "Everyone says he''s Cedric rke''s mini-me. Ste rolled her eyes. "Anytime it''s something good, they say it''s from Cedric. When he''s being


    stubborn, suddenly he take


    after


    me."


    "Who says that?" James chimed in. "Don''t tell me it''s your inws?"


    "No, my inws are actually fine," Ste shrugged. "It''s my mom and my aunt- they say it every time theye over. It drives me crazy."


    James raised an eyebrow. "Your own mom and your aunt?"


    "Who else?" Ste sighed. "Sometimes I just don''t get it. Ever since I had a baby,


    my mom''s need to control me has doubled!"


    James pursed his lips and waved a hand. "Hey, she''s your mom, I''m not touching that one."


    Ste shot him a look. "..."


    Cedric rke came down the stairs.


    "We still need a crib. I''ll go pick up a


    new one at the store," he said


    helpfully. "Honestly, I have a feeling


    the three of us will be spending a lot


    of time at Skybreeze Retreat from now on."


    "Get lost!" Ste replied, but her tone was more exasperated than angry.


    Cedric just grinned. "Well, I actually


    do have to get going. There''s a patient at the hospital who needs surgery. Mr. Dney, Ms.


    over


    Kensington, I''m leaving Star and


    Aster in your capable hands!"


    Ste huffed, "No one''s asking for your concern. Just go already!"