Briony was the first to look away, turning to the older woman and saying, "You've got it wrong-he's not my husband."

"Oh?" The woman blinked in surprise, caught off guard for the first time in her years of sales pitches. After a long pause, she managed, "Oh... I see."

Briony didn't dwell on the awkward exchange. She grabbed a neatly packaged tray of ribs from the meat counter and headed toward the produce section. Stewart watched her go, his eyes cool and unreadable.

...

By the time they returned to Southcreek Manor, it was already noon.

Briony went straight to the kitchen to start lunch.

Irwin was in the living room, tinkering with his new toys.

No sooner had Briony tied on her apron than the glass kitchen door slid open.

She turned and saw Stewart step inside.

"Did you need something?" she asked.

He glanced at the ingredients on the counter, his voice calm. "Do you want a hand?"

"I'm fine," Briony replied without looking up, already busy at the sink.

Stewart stood and watched her for a moment before quietly leaving. She turned on the tap and pulled out the vegetables to wash them.

It wasn't long before Stewart returned.

these," he

paused mid-wash, eyeing the plastic gloves he held out.

your hand is still healing. It'd

glanced at the faint pink patch of new skin on the

gloves, her tone flat. "Thanks. You can go

word, Stewart

but since he was just recovering from pneumonia, Briony chose

years, she'd researched countless meal plans for Irwin-meals tailored for a child with a

was demanding, but after five years, she moved around the

dishes and a hearty soup to the dining

lunch is ready. Go wash your hands," she

hurried to take

a bowl of chicken and yam soup for him. "It's

Irwin's mouth was practically watering as he looked at the spread. He grinned, "Thanks, Mom! You

a faint smile.

a chair

paused. After a moment, she took the apron and tossed it in the

Irwin and setting one bowl in

them, Stewart

then quietly focused

of those bowls of

Briony eat with single-minded focus, his brow

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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