The atmosphere in the living room was split right down the middle.


    Stewart sat alone in an armchair, while Cedric rke and James shared the adjacent sofa. James couldn''t even be bothered to make tea, tossing the job to Cedric instead. Cedric dutifully prepared the tea, not daring to utter a word.


    Across from Stewart, Ste cradled baby Aster in her arms, ring at Stewart with a look that could kill. Stewart, for his part, maintained an air of unruffled calm, seemingly impervious to Ste''s icy stares.


    Little Nina and little Mario nked Ste on either side, perched at the edge of their seats.


    "Star, is the baby your brother or your sister?" Little Nina asked, her curiosity shining through.


    Ste nced down at her. The little girl was so adorable-Ste had lost count of how many times today she''d envied Briony. She shed a sweet smile. "He''s your baby brother."


    "Oh!" Little Nina''s eyes lit up. "So with little Mario, that means I have two baby brothers now?"


    Ste was charmed by her innocent delight. "That''s right! You''re the big sister here. From now on, Aster and little Mario are under your watch."


    Little Nina''s face lit up with excitement. "Yay! I can''t wait to tell Daisy on Monday -I won''t be jealous of her for having two brothers anymore, because now I have two too!"


    Little Mario, meanwhile, was staring at Aster. "Why is he sucking on his fingers?"


    Aster was indeed busy with his own chubby hand, his big, bright eyes fixed on little Mario, blinking curiously.


    "He''s probably hungry," Little Nina said, looking up at Ste. "Auntie, does he need a bottle?"


    Ste let out a helplessugh. "He''s just sleepy. I''ll take him upstairs for a nap. You two y nicely, okay?"


    Little Nina and little Mario nodded obediently and scurried off to dig through the toy chest.


    As Ste headed for the stairs, she shot Cedric rke a warning re.


    Cedric caught the look and immediately turned to Stewart. "Look, either talk like a normal person or keep quiet. I''m the one who gets in trouble for your nonsense, and trust me, life''s hard enough already!"


    Stewart said nothing.


    James chimed in, twisting the knife. "You''re still too soft, Cedric. With his track record for saying all the wrong things, you really should''ve slipped something into his tea before he got here."


    Cedric groaned.


    At that moment, Briony walked in.


    Stewart stood, his gaze fixed on her, voice low. "I''m here to pick up the kids."


    Briony nodded calmly, then turned to her daughter. "Little Nina."


    Little Nina ran over and hugged Briony''s leg. "Mommy!"


    Briony stroked her head, then knelt to look her in the eye. "Do you remember what I told you earlier?"


    "I do," Little Nina replied, her little voice ringing out clear and sweet. "Don''t worry, Mommy. I''ll be good at Daddy''s house these two days."


    Briony smiled softly. "You know Carol, right? If you need anything, just ask her. Make sure your phone watch is charged. If you miss me, you can always call Grandma or me."


    Little Nina nodded enthusiastically. "Don''t worry, Mommy! I''m only going for two days. I''ll be back before you know it!"


    Briony stood and turned to Stewart. "I''ll go upstairs and pack Little Nina''s things."


    Stewart''s dark eyes lingered on her, his voice rough. "Take your time. There''s no rush."


    Briony headed up the stairs, with James following close behind.


    In Little Nina''s room, Briony pulled out her cartoon-themed mini suitcase and her


    yellow duck backpack, methodically packing her clothes and essentials.


    James knocked and stepped inside. "Bryn."


    Briony looked back, noticing something off in his expression. "What is it?"


    "There''s something I haven''t told you."


    She zipped up the suitcase before turning to him. "What is it?"


    "The day you were hospitalized with a fever, I went to see Dr. rke. By ident, I overheard him on the phone. I didn''t catch everything, but I heard him say something like, ''If you die she''ll take the kids and remarry.""


    Briony frowned. "You think he was talking to Stewart?"


    "That''s what I thought. I asked Dr. rke afterward, but he denied it. Said it was just a friend of his, having a fight with his wife and talking about divorce."


    Briony''s expression remainedposed. "If Dr. rke said so, then that''s that.” James frowned. "You just believe him?"


    "What''s the alternative?" Briony''s tone was cool. "You don''t really think I''m still worried about Stewart, do you?"


    "You honestly don''t care about him at all anymore?"


    Briony''s gaze was steady. "The fact that we can co-parent civilly right now is already the best possible oue. James, I think of you as family as a little brother. But if you''re here to tell me I should care about Stewart, I''m going to get annoyed."


    James fell silent.


    "Don''t forget, you were the one calling me love-crazy four years ago."


    1.n


    James squirmed. "That was before I knew the whole story! I''m not saying you should care about Stewart now, it''s just he''s still their father. If anything really happened to him,


    think about the kids. It''d be awful for them to lose their dad so young."


    "Even if something did happen to Stewart, it''s not my ce—and it''s not my responsibility to worry about him."