"Can I see your room, Mario?" Nina asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Mario nodded. "Sure."

Carol smiled at the two of them. "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

Hand in hand, Mario and Nina followed Carol up the staircase, giggling softly as they went.

Briony picked up the clothes she'd brought and was about to head after them when Lorna's voice stopped her.

"Ms. Kensington, could we have a word?"

Briony paused, turning to look at Lorna.

"Ms. Kensington, Mario is a bright, thoughtful child. I hope you won't let your own possessiveness hold him back from growing up the way he should."

A cool, measured smile flickered on Briony's lips. "If we're talking about possessiveness, Ms. Riley, you seem far more invested than I am."

Lorna's brow furrowed.

"I've already made everything clear to Stewart," Briony continued, her tone even. "If you think I'm out of line, take it up with him. From now on, Ms. Riley, you don't need to pretend we're getting along for appearances. I have no interest in your man, and you don't need to try and take my son."

With that, Briony turned away and started up the stairs, ignoring Lorna's tight- lipped silence.

Upstairs, laughter and playful shrieks drifted from the children's bedroom next to the master suite.

bounced on Mario's little bed. "Do you sleep here all by yourself at night?" Mario sat cross-legged,

reads you

"Dad does."

"But your dad's so serious all the time. Are his stories any good? Isn't his voice

expression earnest.

Nina scrunched up her nose, trying to imagine Stewart reading a

lips pouted. "I never had

didn't have a mom when I was

say kids without a mom don't get to drink real milk! Maybe that's why you're

did have milk!"

"I had my mom's milk! So really, you're the one who's worse

Mario was left speechless.

a laugh mixed with exasperation. Where did Nina even pick this stuff

of the corner of his eye and stepped aside to let

spoke calmly. "I'd like to take Mario with me today. I'll

Their eyes met.

glanced at the shopping bags in her hands.

leave

together, almost sighing. "He hardly has

in continuing this conversation. Their perspectives had never really aligned-certainly

know, in my own

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