Ferdinand Ellsworth hurried after Briony Kensington. "Bryn-"


    "Ferdinand."


    The voice behind him was cold-Fred Wentworth.


    Ferdinand stopped abruptly and turned around.


    Fred strode up, his expression severe. "Today marks the beginning of your presidency at Wentworth Group. All the major shareholders are here. Come inside with me, and I''ll introduce you."


    Ferdinand lowered his eyes, jaw tight. "Alright."


    Fred turned, shooting a withering look at Stewart Wentworth. He sneered, "From now on, Wentworth Group has nothing to do with you. Get out. Don''t make me call security."


    Ferdinand cast Stewart a nce. Stewart''s gentle features-the ones little Nina had always adored-were now clouded with emotion.


    But Stewart didn''t spare Fred or Ferdinand a single nce.


    It was true. Wentworth Group was no longer his.


    And Fred would never know: thepany didn''t change hands because Fred had won. Stewart had simply let it go.


    As for Ferdinand, Stewart''s dark gaze shifted to him.


    Ferdinand said quietly, "Stewart, Bryn will never forgive you. You lost."


    Stewart''s lips curled into a cold, faint smile. "Even if I no longer want her, she was never yours to begin with."


    "You"


    "Ferdinand!"


    Fred snapped, cutting Ferdinand off. "Don''t keep the shareholders waiting. Get in here."


    Ferdinand clenched his fists, lips pressed into a thin line, and followed Fred into the meeting room.


    Barrie Lockwood shot Stewart a triumphant look as he strutted in after them.


    Carl Shaw hurried over, about to offer Stewart a supporting arm, when Stewart spoke. "Pick up the pen on the floor for me."


    Carl paused, following Stewart''s gaze.


    Lying where Stewart had stumbled moments ago was a single fountain pen.


    Carl bent down, picked it up, and handed it to Stewart.


    Stewart took it, brushing his fingertips lightly over the barrel, then tucked it carefully back into his breast pocket.


    "Mr. Wentworth, is there anything else in your office you want to take? I can pack up for you-"


    "No need." Stewart''s voice was hoarse. "Nothing else matters. Just this pen." Carl looked puzzled, ncing at the pen in Stewart''s pocket.


    "Bryn gave it to me," Stewart murmured, the corners of his eyes reddening. "She said it was a thank-you for helping her mother with thewsuit. I actually believed her..."


    It had been their first anniversary. Briony had given him the pen, disguising it as a token of gratitude.


    Looking back, Stewart could only think himself a fool.


    Briony had once loved him-carefully, shyly, with all her innocence.


    But that was a long time ago.


    It turned out that having once been loved could be more painful than never having been loved at all.


    Stewart closed his eyes, bitter regret washing over him. But there was no turning back.


    And now, he was out of time.


    and the pavement. Content Belongs


    oubled over, coughinget


    Carl helped Stewart out of the Wentworth Group building.


    As soon as the car door opened,


    of blood staining his hand


    "Mr. Wentworth!" Carl''s face nched with rm. "We need to get you to a hospital-"


    "No." Stewart gripped the door, forcing himself upright, his voice a rasp. "Take me home. Southcreek Manor."


    "But sir-"


    "Home," Stewart insisted, eyes closed, his face ghostly pale and slick with cold sweat.


    Seeing his resolve, Carl could only obey.


    The Maybach pulled away from the curb.


    Not far down the road, Briony sat in her white BMW, watching the ck Maybach disappear into the


    distance. She started her engel


    turning toward Skybreeze Retreat.


    Carl drove as quickly as he dared, calling Cedric rke on the way.


    Within fifteen minutes, they reached Southcreek Manor.


    The sound of the car brought Lorna Riley and Carol rushing out.


    Carl leaped from the driver''s seat, yanking open the back door. On the way home, Stewart had coughed up


    twice more-his suit was now


    dark and wet.


    Together, Carl and Lorna carried Stewart, barely conscious, inside. Carol followed close behind, her face stricken.


    Wherever Stewart passed, drops of blood marked the floor.


    Carol had never seen anything like this. She stood frozen, stunned by the sight.


    Upstairs in the master bedroom, they eased Stewart onto the bed.


    Lorna moved quickly, fetching a basin of warm water and setting it on the nightstand.


    "Carl, clean him up and help him change into these fresh pajamas," she instructed.


    Carl nodded. "Of course."


    Lorna turned to leave, pausing at the door. "If you need help, call me."


    "I''ll manage, Ms. Riley."


    She nodded, pulling the door shut behind her.


    Outside, Carol anxiously caught Lorna''s arm. "Ms. Riley, what''s happening to Mr. Wentworth...?"