She said, "This is cold-too much isn''t good for you."


    At her words, both kids'' faces fell in disappointment.


    Brionyughed and added, "But you can order one and share it."


    "Really?" Little Nina''s eyes widened in surprise. "Mom, Mario and I can really have a sundae?"


    "Yes." Briony reached out to smooth her daughter''s hair. "It''s fine to have a little treat every now and then."


    "You''re the best, Mom!" Little Nina pped her hands and cheered.


    Mario lit up too, grinning shyly, his eyes shining as he looked at Briony. "Thanks, Mom."


    Briony ruffled his hair as well. "Take another look-see if there''s anything else you want."


    "Okay!"


    Mario and Nina eagerly resumed scouring the menu for more snacks.


    Across the table, Stewart watched Briony, a slight furrow between his brows, lost in thought.


    Their meal at KFC stretched on for nearly two hours.


    Once they''d finished eating, Nina and Mario darted off to the y area, shrieking with delight.


    Briony excused herself to the restroom. When she returned, the kids were still ying, theirughter echoing through the restaurant.


    Stewart sat quietly, his eyes never straying from his children.


    Briony nced at her watch. It was gettingte; she really needed to be heading home.


    At that moment, Stewart looked up and met her gaze.


    She walked over and said quietly, "It''s gettingte."


    Stewart stood, searching her calm face, his Adam''s apple bobbing as he spoke. "I''m leaving the country next week. Would it be alright if the kids stayed with me a few more days?"


    Briony had expected this.


    "That''s fine. I actually need to travel for work this week anyway." She agreed without hesitation.


    Stewart perked up at that. "Where are you going?"


    "Elderview," Briony replied. "Probably four or five days. James will be with me."


    On hearing that, Stewart pressed his


    lips together, silent for a moment before saying, "Be careful while


    you''re away."


    Briony nodded lightly. "I should get going."


    "Alright."


    She walked over to the y area to gather Nina and Mario, gave them each a


    hug, and then left without another word.


    Stewart watched her retreating figure until she disappeared from sight. Only then did he pull out bis


    P and call Carl toe pick


    them up.


    ...


    On her way home, Briony was rear-ended.


    Thankfully, she had her seatbelt on and was unharmed.


    It was rush hour, the roads packed with cars. The ident instantly caused a traffic jam.


    Briony opened her door and stepped out to inspect the damage.


    The car that had hit her was a Rolls-Royce.


    The passenger door swung open, and a middle-aged chauffeur in white gloves stepped out, striding toward her.


    "I''m so sorry, ma''am," he said. "I got distracted and didn''t brake in prefer to call the


    2 and didn''t brake in time.


    police,


    this privately?"


    Briony was about to respond when, suddenly, the rear door of the Rolls-Royce opened and Barrie emerged.


    The instant Briony saw him, a wave of rm shot through her.


    At first, she''d assumed it was just a routine traffic ident.


    Now, she wasn''t so sure.


    With Barrie involved, this felt a lot less like an ident-and a lot more like a


    setup.