"I was free before, but you never showed," Stewart said flatly.

"That was a fluke," Briony shot back, frowning. "I'm available any time these days."

"Well, I'm not."

Briony didn't buy it. "Don't tell me you're so busy you can't even spare an hour to get the divorce papers signed."

"Irwin's been acting up lately. I really can't get away."

"It's just an hour."

"You brought Irwin into our lives. You know how he gets-when he throws a fit, it takes forever to calm him down."

Briony pressed her lips together. When she used to look after Irwin, he rarely threw tantrums. But when he did, he was stubborn, and it always took time and patience to talk him down.

"Of course, if you really want, I could bring Irwin along," Stewart continued, his voice drifting through the phone. "I just worry he'll get attached all over again once he sees you."

Briony was silent, taking a slow breath to steady herself. "Stewart, I don't want to go in circles. Just answer me-when are we finalizing the divorce?"

"Do you really have to go through with this?" he asked quietly.

She almost laughed in disbelief. "Have I not made myself clear enough?"

He hesitated, his voice dropping. "But you... you'll never be able to have children of your own now."

Briony gave a cold, sharp laugh. "So what?"

"If you'd just reconsider," Stewart said, suddenly solemn, "we don't have to get divorced. Irwin could always be your son. We could still be a family."

For a moment, Briony couldn't breathe. She honestly thought she must have misheard him.

So this was Stewart's version of sympathy? Because she couldn't have children anymore, he was willing to offer Irwin to her as some kind of consolation prize? She never realized a forged medical record could have such an impact.

Stewart managed

me, Stewart," she said icily. "I'd rather spend my life alone than ever look

on

on her stomach, she spoke with a chilling calm. "I made myself clear enough back in Ghana, Stewart. People who

gave a low, humorless

sharp,"

"Alright."

She ended the call.

to have a courier send all the gifts back to Southcreek Manor. Then she walked straight

only emerging when Gina arrived with lunch and fussed over her to remember her

set an alarm, and lay

alarm woke her at 1:30. She washed her face, grabbed

arrived at 1:50, clutching her documents as she stepped out

fall in

With

dark, the last of the

in the waiting area,

o'clock, on the

should be here

...

Mercedes pulled up

parked nearby, then turned to Stewart. "Mr. Wentworth, it looks like

who was fast asleep with his head lolling on the back seat, a

reached over and gently pinched

over,

Stewart arched an eyebrow.

like the little guy's wiped out. If you

in the car with him so you can go in on

a kind suggestion-no sense dragging a tired child out

the words left his mouth, Stewart

end, Stewart got out-taking the drowsy

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

Comments ()

0/255