Little Mario kept going on about how nice Daddy's voice was, and now even she was curious to hear it for herself!

Briony could see right through her daughter's little scheme, so she grinned and said, "Well, why don't you ask your dad in a bit? If he's busy, then you can always call me again, okay?"

"Okay!" Little Mario paused for a second, scrunching up her brows. "Mom, there's something I find really weird!"

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"Tonight when Daddy played with us in the backyard, he kept lifting me up onto the slide. He did it so many times I lost count... then all of a sudden, he started coughing. He looked like he was really uncomfortable."

Briony froze.

Her daughter's words made her think of what James had told her earlier in the evening.

Could something really be wrong with Stewart's health?

"Little Nina, are you talking to Mommy?"

A deep male voice sounded from the other end of the line.

Briony snapped back to attention.

"Daddy, I'm talking to Mommy," Little Nina said, holding up her smartwatch. "Do you want to say hi to her?"

Stewart hesitated for a brief moment, staring at the watch she held out to him.

On the other end, Briony went quiet too.

The air grew tense.

Little Nina frowned and said, "Daddy, you're a gentleman, right? Our teacher says boys should be polite.

couldn't help but smile at his daughter's grasp of social niceties, his gaze

into a gentle smile and spoke in his warm, mellow voice.

hesitated for a heartbeat, then replied,

bring herself to be too

talked to you first. Shouldn't you check

Stewart furrowed his brow, just about to tell his daughter not to put Mommy

Little Nina said you were

a flicker of hope sparking in

Briony's tone was cool. "If you are, I don't want you passing it

flicker in Stewart's heart

it's not a cold." His voice returned to its usual calm reserve "I've just been smoking too

softened slightly. "Don't

Don't

.n

that, Briony didn't say anything more. Her voice gentled as she spoke to her daughter. "Little Nina, Mommy has to go now. Tell bittle Mario good night for

night, Mommy.

you, sweetheart. I hope you and Little Mario have

"Love you, Mommy! Kisses!"

Little Mario

The call ended.

pretty eyes-so much like

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