Briony met his gaze, her lips pale but curling into a faint smile. "At this point, playing what-if only brings more trouble," she said softly.

She rose to her feet and looked away, her voice as gentle as a midnight breeze drifting into the man's chest. "I've let it go. You should, too."

Upstairs, in the guest bedroom.

Cedric Clarke eased open the door. The small nightlight glowed softly in one corner.

On the big bed, Aster was sprawled out, fast asleep.

Cedric stepped inside, eyes sweeping the room.

No sign of Stella.

He paused, assuming she wasn't there—until he heard something from the bathroom. A muffled sound: a woman trying to stifle her sobs.

Cedric's heart seized, as if caught in a vise.

He rushed to the bathroom, grabbing the handle, but the door wouldn't budge. It was locked from the inside.

Leaning his forehead against the door, he lowered his voice. "Star, can you open the door?"

The crying stopped for a moment, but Stella gave no reply.

He tried to coax her, voice hoarse. "It's my fault. I was an ass. Just open up, okay? I'll get down on my knees and beg-whatever you want."

Still nothing.

Cedric grew frantic. Stella had lost her temper before, but she'd never shut herself away like this, crying alone.

his words tonight must

me if you want,

Still no answer.

options, Cedric turned and left

Stewart were about to head to the backyard when they saw

"What's wrong?" Briony asked.

herself in

Briony fell silent.

washboard?"

toward the laundry room. "You can check in

"Thanks."

bathroom

rubbed his nose, half-amused.

Briony glanced at him.

looked back

air suddenly thick with unspoken

the first to look away, turning to head

slender silhouette,

...

alive with laughter

Carey, Hannah, and a few others were playing

irresistibly cute. Nina, especially, with her sweet baby voice and sparkling

phones out, snapping away-kneeling, crouching,

sat off to the side, unable to chase after the kids but happily interacting from

kids, but Briony's twins were impossible to resist. He

phone back into his pocket and stood up-just as Briony and

walked over. "Kids

mom took them up to bed," Briony

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