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.

Wear these,"

paused mid-wash, eyeing the plastic gloves he

is still healing. It'd be

glanced at the faint pink patch of new skin on the back of her hand. He was

the gloves, her tone flat.

another word, Stewart

asked for all sorts of dishes, but since he

meal plans for Irwin-meals tailored for a child with

years, she moved around the kitchen with

she brought out five dishes and a hearty soup to the dining

Go wash your

off to wash up, then hurried to take his seat at the table, excitement

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

practically watering as he looked at the spread. He grinned, "Thanks, Mom!

a faint smile. "Dig

out a chair and

paused. After a moment, she took the

to Irwin and setting one bowl in front of

them, Stewart watched

focused on her own meal.

time, one of those bowls of rice would have been for

watched Briony eat with single-minded

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

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