Briony thought it was too much trouble. "No need to bother the driver—I can handle drop-offs and pick-ups myself."

"Oh, all right. I'll let the driver know then."

She ended the call, tucked her phone away, and headed back inside.

It was Saturday.

The twins didn't have preschool today. The moment they saw each other, they huddled together, giggling and playing, thick as thieves.

Watching her son and daughter get along so well, Briony felt a rare sense of peace settle over her heart.

Little Mario had become so much more outgoing lately, chattier too.

Especially this time-after two weeks apart, he seemed to have put on a little weight.

That evening, while bathing the kids, Briony noticed the change most clearly.

He really had filled out. Where once his ribs had been painfully obvious, now his round little belly was starting to catch up to Little Nina's.

Stewart and Lorna had truly been taking good care of him.

Briony watched her son and daughter splashing and shrieking with laughter in the

tub, and her feelings were unexpectedly complicated.

and bedtime stories, once the kids had drifted off, Briony quietly slipped out

next door to

one who managed all of little Mario's

for Mario to have changed so much in such a short time,

Briony learned that Lorna practiced martial arts, and every day

Mario to preschool from Southcreek Manor-a walk of about a mile. Most

jump rope with

for a long moment after

the worry that

might be unkind to the young

Mario's always

was scared Ms.

when no one was around. I even asked Mario what he thought of

he say?"

cool-she

Briony blinked.

Chased away bad guys?

bad guys?"

shook her head. "I asked Mario, but he couldn't really explain. Just said Ms.

pressed her

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