Briony closed her book, her voice soft and gentle. "Maybe I slept too much during the day. I just can't seem to fall asleep now."

Stewart stepped inside, quietly shutting the bedroom door behind him.

"Do you want some water?"

"No, thank you."

He paused, then asked, "Are you hungry?"

Briony met his gaze. "I'm not."

Stewart pressed his lips together, standing at the edge of the bed.

For a few moments, they simply looked at each other, silence settling between them-a quiet, delicate tension in the air.

Briony smiled, just a little. "Stewart, if you're not tired, why don't you sit and talk with me for a while?"

Stewart looked slightly surprised.

Briony was never one to start a conversation with him without a reason.

He pulled a chair over and sat by the bed.

"Have you started another business lately?"

Stewart hesitated before responding. "How did you know?"

you on the phone a few

point in hiding it from her. She'd find

business partner. The company won't officially launch

said, "Stewart, I know you're capable, but starting a business is always tough at

his face serious. “That's for you and the kids. Keep it safe. You don't need to worry

temporarily," Briony insisted. "Technically, you're still here. Those assets should be yours until the

pressed into a thin line. "Are you trying to give the

Briony

with sadness. "You're still afraid I'll make things messy for you, aren't

gaze, lips

she wasn't worried about that

seen the effort you've put in these past weeks. After everything I've been through, I see things differently now. You've taken care of me-gone above and beyond. If I still called that meddling, I'd be unfair. Besides, we

swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "So, I can

both had it rough. Setting feelings aside, we're not all that different. We've been through the worst together. There's no need to act like strangers or force the kids to choose sides. If we can respect each other,

felt his

was

of the

was welcoming him back-maybe not as before, but as a friend, as part

hold her. He wanted

can I hug you?" His voice was thick with emotion. "As a

at him. After a moment, she slowly

Stewart's eyes trembled.

wrapped his arms

letting

shook as if he was barely holding himself together, terrified he might

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