"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!"

Nina puckered up and blew

breath, she managed to

she turned to little Mario. "There's two left! Will you

looked

warmly at him. "Go on, if

nodded, imitating Little Nina's pout, then blew at the

Out went the flames!

Nina clapped enthusiastically, her excitement

He joined her, clapping his little hands, a wide

Mario and planted

Nina!" James cried out in mock despair,

mark right on little Mario's

buried his face in his hands, so

and adorable-the kind of look that sent all the adults

exchange, her

brother were still alive, she'd get to

life didn't

dropped her gaze, turned, and slipped into the

Garry's eyes followed her.

shot Garry a cold look, scoffing under his breath before

the sink, water running. The gushing sound masked her quiet

The kitchen door opened.

away and turned, trying to act casual when she

at her red-rimmed eyes and sighed. "Don't even try to laugh it

Briony froze.

away to cry. Did you

dropped her gaze, pressing her lips

until Nina's asleep, then drink alone. Last year,

and Mrs. Winslow had to call me to carry

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