A stretch of spring rain lingered on and off until the tail end of April.

By early May, Northborough was basking in the first warmth of summer. The dampness had lifted; now, the breeze carried the scent of wisteria.

On the day Lori turned one month old, Briony and Maynard took her for a check- up at the hospital.

Carol had come down with a nasty cold, so Briony had given her a few days off.

Maynard knew Briony was taking Lori for her check-up, so he'd shown up early outside Pearbrook Manor. He claimed he just happened to be free; Briony, in a rush to leave, didn't object.

The doctor assured them that Lori was thriving, every milestone right on track.

Briony finally felt at ease.

With the exam done, she cradled Lori in her arms as she and Maynard walked toward the hospital entrance.

She hadn't expected to bump into Stewart right at the doors.

The encounter was sudden and unavoidable; both sides stopped in their tracks.

Their eyes met, and silence fell between them.

while since they'd last

beside Stewart was a boy, seven

could guess who he

check-up with your little one?" Stewart broke the silence first. Briony gave

than before-her

the rumors: the Coopers had thrown a lavish birthday party for Vernon not long ago, inviting all of Northborough's elite in a very public display. Stewart had

Stewart, Xenia Cooper, and Vernon-a picture-perfect family-was

he couldn't resist twisting the knife. "Mr. Wentworth, is your son not

brows knit together; he shot

asking, sir," Vernon piped up. "It's just a little

with a bright smile, "your

thin, hard

had already looked away. "Let's head home,"

"Of course. Let's go."

walked past

"You're a lucky man, Mr. Wentworth. Not many can say their son is this well-behaved at

mouth a thin, pale

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