"Bryn, have some more." Gwendolyn White reached over and placed a piece of beef on Briony's plate.

Briony snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Gwendolyn.

Gwendolyn gave her hand a gentle pat and lowered her voice. "Don't stare, sweetheart."

Briony nodded, picked up the beef, and put it in her mouth.

She stopped glancing at little Mario, but the food tasted like nothing in her mouth.

Garry kept an eye on little Mario while chatting and sharing drinks with Carney. Every so often, he shot a look in Briony's direction.

Briony stayed quiet, head down, focusing on her meal.

Dinner finally wrapped up around eight.

At half past eight, Briony brought out the cake and set it on the table.

This time, she'd made an Elsa-themed cake-Little Nina's absolute favorite.

The adults gathered around as Little Nina, wearing a tiny crown, pressed her hands together and made a wish, looking every bit the little princess.

She muttered under her breath, her words so soft that no one caught what she wished for.

When she finished, Little Nina grabbed little Mario's hand. "Let's blow out the candles together!"

Candlelight flickered in little Mario's dark eyes.

He blinked, still and silent, not saying a word.

James moved the cake closer to the kids. "Come on, once the candles are out, all

our princess's wishes will come true!"

and blew hard at the candles.

breath, she managed to

"There's two left! Will you blow

looked up at

smiled warmly at him. "Go on, if you'd

imitating Little Nina's pout,

Out went the flames!

Little Nina clapped

his little hands, a wide grin revealing a few

little Mario

in mock despair, but it was too

left a big smooch mark right on little Mario's

hands,

looking utterly baffled and adorable-the kind of look that sent all the adults

exchange, her eyes

she'd get to see

life didn't

dropped her gaze, turned, and

Garry's eyes followed her.

a cold look, scoffing under his breath

stood at the sink, water running. The gushing sound

The kitchen door opened.

turned, trying to act casual when she

looked at her red-rimmed eyes and sighed. "Don't even try to laugh it off. If you want to cry, just cry. I'm not going

Briony froze.

on Little Nina's birthday, you sneak away to cry. Did

gaze,

asleep, then drink alone.

Mrs. Winslow had to call me to carry

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