Briony got off work early today-she was home before five.


    The moment she saw the ck Mercedes in the driveway, she paused, immediately guessing Stewart had arrived.


    Stepping inside, she found Stewart crouched on the floor with his back to the door, both kids clinging to him.


    Thete summer sun streamed through the open doorway, casting a warm, golden glow over the three of them—a quiet, tender scene.


    Stewart''s white shirt stretched over his straight back; maybe he was thinner than before, the outline of his shoulder des faintly visible beneath the fabric.


    Briony stopped in her tracks, choosing not to interrupt.


    It was Little Nina who spotted her first. She wriggled free from Stewart''s embrace and came running. "Mommy!"


    Briony knelt down to greet her daughter, pressing a gentle kiss to her soft, round cheek.


    Stewart let go of their son, standing up to face her. "You''ve had a lot on your te thesest few days."


    Briony released Nina and rose to meet his gaze. "Looking after them is what any mother would do."


    Stewart swallowed, Adam''s apple bobbing. At this point, he didn''t dare hope for any lingering affection from Briony. That she could speak to him calmly, without resentment, felt like a gift in itself.


    A few paces separated them as they stood there, eyes locked, both soposed.


    Stewart had no idea she already knew the truth about his failing health-nor that this fragile peace, which moved him so deeply, was Briony''s final act of grace.


    There was no point raking over old wounds with a man whose days were numbered.


    From the staircase, Ste watched the four of them together. The scene was so quietly serene that she suddenly felt it would be wrong to intrude.


    Little Nina tugged at Briony''s pinky. "Mommy, can I stay at Daddy''s house tonight?"


    Briony looked down, meeting her daughter''s shining eyes, so full of hope. She smiled. "I don''t mind, but you should check if Daddy''s free." "Daddy told me to ask you first!"


    Briony tapped her daughter''s nose. "How many nights do you want to stay?"


    "Three!" Nina held up three little fingers. "I promise I''ll be back after three days!" "Alright," Briony agreed.


    Stewart was visibly surprised by how readily she said yes-surprised, and grateful.


    "Thank you, Bryn." His dark eyes lingered on her, intensity in his gaze.


    Briony met his look, her voice even. "I''ve paused all their activities for


    now, which means they''ll be home and need someone with


    all day and


    them. Are you sure you can


    manage?"


    Stewart''s lips curved in a faint smile. "I''m between jobs. I''ve got all the time in the world."


    At that, Briony didn''t say anything more. "I''ll go upstairs and pack their things."


    "Okay," Stewart replied.


    Ste followed Briony upstairs.


    In the bedroom, Ste stood by the bed holding her son, watching Briony gather clothes into two small suitcases.


    "Stewart''s lost a lot of weight," Ste said. "He looks pale, too. Honestly, he doesn''t seem well at all."


    Briony didn''t pause in her packing. She just gave a quiet acknowledgment.


    Ste eyed her. "Bryn, are you starting to feel sorry for him?"


    "He''s their father, and the kids love him." Briony zipped up a tiny suitcase.


    Ste let out a sigh. "He transferred all his assets to you. With that kind


    of money, he could see any doctor


    get any treatment he wanted. If he''s


    still not getting better, it must mean... there''s nothing left totry, huh?"


    "That''s why, for the kids'' sake, I want to let him keep his dignity for whatever time he has left."


    Ste nodded. "You''re being more than generous. If Cedric rke ever treated me that way-"


    "Don''t even say it!" Briony cut her off. "You know what they say about tempting fate? Don''t even joke about it."


    Ste mped her mouth shut immediately.


    Briony stood up, silent for a ment, then said quietly," Mario''s been calling for his


    his sleep every nighttelet