Little Nina nodded, shot Stewart a glare for good measure, then turned and marched out of the study on her own.

Briony called Carol and asked her to keep an eye on Little Nina.

Carol hurried upstairs to take Little Nina downstairs.

The study fell silent once again.

It was Briony who spoke first. "Stewart, I've thought it over. I'm going to fight for custody of Mario."

Stewart looked at her. "I told you, Mario will stay with me. You're welcome to visit him anytime."

"I don't agree with your parenting," Briony said bluntly. "And I don't trust Lorna. So yes, I'm taking this to court."

Stewart fixed his gaze on her, then, after a moment, asked, "Ferdinand told you, didn't he?"

"Whatever's going on between you and Ferdinand, I want no part of it."

Briony's tone was resolute. "I only care about my son. Stewart, I tried to trust you and Ms. Riley. I even tried to get along with her for Mario's sake. I've tried to convince myself that, as his biological father, you'd be kind to him. But even in that most basic role, you've let me down."

"The Wentworth family is complicated," Stewart replied. "Mario's a smart boy. He can handle everything I've planned for him."

you mean turning him from a happy, bright child into someone like

his lips together, Briony's reflection dark in his

silence hung in the

know why

Stewart frowned. "Why?"

Nina longs for

every time you're with her,

she's trying to get your attention

thought she

enough. Now it's the same with Mario. In your world, they're future heirs to be

friendship... to you, those are abstract, insignificant. But if someone lives their whole life the way you do, what's the difference between

stared at

as a needle, sinking deep

looked down. "I won't give up custody of Mario. And I won't change the way I

will take you to court. But whatever the outcome, from now on, the two children will spend at least

for a long moment before

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