When Briony arrived at Southcreek Manor, she didn't go inside. Instead, she called Carol.

Carol soon emerged from the manor, carrying little Mario in her arms. The boy's forehead was covered with a cool fever patch. Lorna followed close behind.

Briony hurried over and gently took her son. She stroked his cheek, feeling the lingering warmth of a low fever.

"Sweetheart, are you feeling sick?" she asked, her heart aching as she looked at him.

Little Mario shook his head obediently. "Don't worry, Mom. The doctor said I'll be fine once I take my medicine."

The more sensible her son acted, the more Briony's heart twisted with pain. She crouched down and spoke softly. "Would you like to come home with me?"

He nodded. "Yes, I want to."

Briony glanced up at Lorna.

Before she could speak, Lorna addressed her first. "Ms. Kensington, if you're not too busy this week, would you mind looking after Mario for a while?"

Briony couldn't have hoped for more, but something about Lorna's words didn't sit right.

"I'm Mario's mother. Of course I'll take care of him-it's not an inconvenience at all."

your own work commitments, and if Stewart and I are leaving Mario in your care, it's only

unmistakable tone of a lady of

other day: it seemed Ms. Riley was soon to become

were still young; they'd surely have children of their own someday. Yet Stewart insisted on keeping

Her son was ill-he

on.

mother. I'll always make time

cradled little Mario and turned

Little Nina at preschool every day,

settled little Mario in, leaning in to fasten his seatbelt

"Ms. Kensington, please wait a

nodded, her

turned and hurried back

the car, Briony's gaze drifted toward

she spotted

figure in a sharp

BUT

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