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, glanced 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 should come 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 flash 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 playground 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.

the car and opened the

to set Nina inside when

he pulled Nina back into his arms and turned to Briony.

noticing his sudden change in demeanor. "I

as he struggled to stay calm, "please take the kids and ride

set Briony even more on edge. "Stewart, what

home," Stewart

Nina to

Carl, take

carefully-don't take any et

chances."

clearly thrown off

sudden insistence

he had

couldn't help asking, "What

coming to pick

made Carl realize just how

and turned to Briony. "Ms.

me."

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

She glanced at Stewart.

and unreadable. "Bryn, don't ask any questions. Just take the kids and go

her chest-a wave of anxiety crashing

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