He took out his phone-it was a call from Lorna.


    After a brief hesitation, he answered.


    "Stewart, find somewhere private to talk. I need to tell you something important!”


    Stewart paused, nced at Briony, then turned and walked a short distance away, lowering his voice. "You can talk now."


    "My team spotted a few suspicious people entering the country yesterday," Lorna said, her tone grave. "Something feels off. You shoulde back-also, make sure Briony and the kids stay home for the next few days."


    Stewart''s expression darkened. "Alright. I understand."


    He hung up and walked back to Briony. "That''s all for today. Take the kids home. For the next few days, you and the children should stay inside as much as possible."


    Briony frowned, concern clouding her face. "Why? What''s going on?"


    "For the kids'' sake, just trust me, okay?" Stewart''s voice was firm.


    She stared at him, a sh of Lorna''s earlier warnings crossing her mind, but she didn''t press further. "Alright. I understand."


    Little Nina clung to Stewart, reluctant to leave. All the way from the yground to the parking lot entrance, she insisted on being carried.


    As they left the park, Stewart carried Nina toward Briony''s car.


    Nina was already in tears.


    Briony noticed her daughter''s unusual mood and, for some reason, felt a rising sense of unease herself.


    She unlocked the car and opened the door.


    Stewart was about to set Nina inside when his brow furrowed sharply.


    Seconds ticked by. Then, he pulled Nina back into his arms and turned to Briony. "Let Carl drive you home instead."


    Briony gave him a puzzled look, noticing his sudden change in demeanor. "I have my own car. I can drive us."


    "Bryn," Stewart met her eyes, Adam''s apple bobbing as he struggled to stay calm, "please take the kids and ride with Carl. Let him drive you."


    His words set Briony even more on edge. "Stewart, what on earth is happening?"


    "Just go home," Stewart replied,


    passing Nina to her before tuto


    Carl Carl, take them back.


    carefully-don''t take any et


    chances."


    Carl was clearly thrown off by


    Stewart''s sudden insistence but et


    trusted that he had his reasons Still,


    he couldn''t help asking, "What about you, Mr. Wentworth?"


    "Lorna''sing to pick me up," Stewart replied.


    The mention of Lorna made Carl realize just how serious things were.


    He said nothing more and turned to Briony. "Ms. Kensington, pleasee with


    me."


    Clutching her sobbing daughter tightly, Briony felt her nerves stretched taut, a cold dread pooling in her chest.


    She nced at Stewart.


    He met her gaze, eyes dark and unreadable. "Bryn, don''t ask any questions. Just take the kids and go home."


    Her heart hammered in her chest-a wave of anxiety crashing over her.


    Every instinct screamed that they were in danger.


    She tightened her hold on Nina. The children were too precious-a risk she couldn''t take.


    There was no time to hesitate.


    "Crystal, take Mario," she said.


    Crystal scooped up little Mario, and together with Carl and Briony, they hurried


    toward Stewart''s Maybach.


    The car doors opened—then shut behind them.


    Once everyone was inside, Carl started the engine immediately.


    Mario, cradled in Crystal''sp,


    looked


    I got into another car


    the window and watche


    across the lot.


    sto


    Father and son exchanged onest look through the ss.


    Little Mario didn''t know it—but that fleeting nce would be their final goodbye...


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!