Stewart stood in the doorway, his expression dark as he faced Briony, who wore a simple black dress that made her look both elegant and distant.

She walked up to him, stopping just a few feet away. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the tension between them was palpable.

Briony's lips curled into a cold, almost mocking smile. "Surprised to see me?" she asked, her voice edged with frost.

Stewart's gaze was steady, heavy with accusation. "You never intended to work with me, did you?"

She arched an eyebrow, her voice flat. "I haven't done enough for you? For five years, I played my part. As your legal wife, as Irwin's legal guardian-I did everything that was asked of me. I have nothing to be ashamed of."

"And what good did any of that do?" Stewart pressed, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Briony's eyes flashed. "The moment I found out Rosita was Irwin's biological mother, all I wanted was to walk away clean. But you? You wanted the perfect family reunion with Rosita and Irwin, while still binding me to you with your so- called legal responsibilities. For five years, I raised Irwin. I never asked him for anything in return, but somehow I'm the one being painted as the cold-hearted woman who abandoned her child?"

isn't everything. Since you moved out, Irwin's missed you every single

I think? Stewart, do you really believe

knit together, his eyes fixed on her. "Has

not be? In all these years, did you ever once think about telling me the truth

of guilt etched clearly on his

for our own reasons, but it was still a real marriage, with real vows, real obligations. I held up my end. I was faithful. I was there for you and for Irwin. What about you? From the start, you lied to me, used me. You hid your other life. You couldn't bear to ask Rosita to give up her career for her own child, but you didn't

out a bitter, half-choked laugh. "When Rosita came back, did I fight? Did I make a scene? I stepped aside for her, played my part so well that people

the redness in her eyes, heard the ache in her voice. He swallowed hard.

incredulous. "Is that all you have to say? You think you can sweep away everything you've

her words landing

pain you and Rosita caused me," Briony continued, her voice raw. "From the very beginning, you only saw me as useful—someone who could be manipulated, someone who could raise Irwin. You never wanted a wife.

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