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
you please come out? Hit me if you
Still no answer.
Cedric turned and left
Stewart were about to head to the backyard when they saw
"What's wrong?" Briony asked.
locked herself in
Briony fell silent.
guys have a washboard?" Cedric
pointed toward the laundry room.
"Thanks."
and then got the bathroom key from Briony. Without another
rubbed his nose, half-amused. "Didn't know
Briony glanced at him.
back at
air suddenly
first to look away, turning
her slender silhouette,
...
was alive with laughter
a few others were playing with
bright-eyed, clever, and irresistibly cute. Nina, especially, with her sweet baby voice and sparkling personality, had everyone wrapped
snapping away-kneeling, crouching, sideways, vertical, every
off to the side, unable to chase after the kids but happily interacting from
for kids, but Briony's twins were impossible to resist. He found himself
phone back into his pocket and stood up-just as
walked over. "Kids
mom took them up to bed," Briony answered, her
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