Before Xenia Cooper''s call came through, Briony had just seen the news online.
An official announcement of the marriage certificate-no ceremony, but enough to
set all of Northborough abuzz.
In the photo, Stewart looked as serious as ever, while Xenia Cooper, with her
strikingly beautiful features, was the picture of coolposure. They looked
perfect together.
Not at all like her and Stewart. Their marriage had felt unequal from the very
beginning.
She remembered herself at twenty-one, standing at Stewart''s side as they
entered the country-both of them so green, so young.
But Xenia Cooper was nothing like that.
She was the Cooper heiress, the CEO of Neonova Syndicate, and the kind of
woman who still outshone everyone even when standing beside Stewart.
At thirty-four, she''d built a career that everyone admired. Whenever her name
came up, it was always in phrases like "modern woman," "powerhouse," "role
model."
Looking at their marriage certificate, Briony couldn''t help but think, They actually
belong together. They''re truly a match.
She told herself she should be happy for Stewart.
His first thirty-four years had been anything but easy-marked more by hardship
than happiness. Now, atst, he''d found a woman who could stand with him as
his equal.
As a friend-almost as family-she ought to wish him well.
But Stewart had made it clear: he didn''t want her blessings.
Lost in her thoughts, Briony''s phone rang. She answered out of habit, only
realizing toote that it was an unknown number. Just as she was about to hang
up, a cool, clear woman''s voice came through.
The woman introduced herself-her tone openly challenging.
"How did you get my number, Ms. Cooper?" Briony''s voice was calm, but her grip
on the phone tightened.
She wasn''t asposed as she sounded.
"Is that really what you''re worried about, Ms. Kensington?" Xenia Cooper''s voice
held a hint of amusement. "You''re Stewart''s ex-wife, and now I''m married to him.
Aren''t you even a little bit curious about me?"
The open provocation made Briony frown.
She had no desire to get entangled with Xenia Cooper.
"If you have something to say, Ms. Cooper, just say it."
"Let''s meet," Xenia replied, her tone proud. "I have something you''ll want to see.
It''s about you."
Briony had been ready to refuse, but thatst sentence changed her mind.
There was a famous riverside café on the edge of Pearbrook.
Briony agreed to meet Xenia there.
It was close by-she left her townhouse, crossed the street, and was there in
under five minutes.
By evening, the sky was streaked with crimson clouds.
Briony stepped into the café.
By the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the river, Xenia Cooper waved her over.
Briony paused, pressed her lips together, and made her way over.
She sat down across from Xenia.
"Would you like something to drink?" Xenia asked, her poise unmistakable. She
regarded Briony with a bold, unapologetic gaze.
Briony met her eyes, calm and unflinching. "No need for pleasantries, Ms. Cooper.
Let''s get to the point."
At that, Xenia took a sip from her coffee, then set the cup down, a faint, knowing
smile curving her lips as her gaze rested on Briony again.
The two women faced off in silence, their energies worlds apart.
Xenia was proud and unyielding, her
confidence and sharpness on full
disy. She was the kind of woman
who made no effort to hide her
ambition or strength.
Briony, on the other hand, was
gentle andposed. Even though
she was still recovering from a
serious illness and looked a little
thin, there was a delicate grace
about her that was impossible to
miss.
Xenia''s smile grew a little as she studied her.
So this is Stewart''s type.
She looks harmless-soft, gentle, the kind of woman who brings out a man''s
protective instincts.
But Xenia had never seen the value in that. A woman like this, she thought, would
never help a man''s career or push him forward.
In her eyes, Stewart''s love for Briony was nothing more than a man''s need to
protect-a bit of old-fashioned masculinity.
Briony saw the scrutiny and disdain in Xenia''s eyes, but she didn''te here to
argue.
"Ms. Cooper, where''s this thing you wanted to show me?"
Xenia smiled and pulled a document from her bag, sliding it across the table.
"Take a look."
Briony picked it up and flipped through the pages.
When she saw the words "prenup agreement," she wasn''t even surprised.
For people like them, it was just
business as usual. Xenia, after all,
was a seasoned executive and the
only heir to the Cooper fortune. Of
course she''d put the interests of her
family andpany before
everything-even marriage.
Signing a prenup was only natural for people like them.