Briony drove straight back to Pearbrook Mansion from the hospital.

Maynard's car was already parked in the driveway.

She stepped into the house.

Marlene came out to greet her. "Mr. Maynard's upstairs, trying to get Lori to sleep!"

Briony paused. "When did he get here?"

"He arrived around noon."

"He's been here all afternoon?"

Marlene beamed, a fond, almost motherly smile on her face. "He's been learning how to be a good dad all day! We all know he's not Lori's biological father, but anyone can see how much he adores her."

Briony pressed her lips together, then asked, "Where are the twins?"

"They're playing in the back garden. Crystal's out there with them."

Crystal had recently taken some time off to visit her hometown when her father fell ill. Once he recovered last week, she returned to Northborough.

son and daughter. She hugged them

Then she went upstairs.

children's room beside the master bedroom had been made up

even old enough to recognize faces yet. She was the definition of an angelic

on

quietly snapped a

up his phone, capturing

turned at the sound of

and walked over to the crib, gazing down at the peacefully sleeping

she been asleep?" she

face—so perfect! When she grows up, we're going to have our hands full with all the boys chasing after her. We'll have to keep a

up at him. "Mr. Maynard, let's step outside. There's something I'd like to

paused, already guessing the

"Sure, let's

Maynard sat across

"Did your family give you a hard time

with a rueful grin. "Grandpa even whacked me

her

caught her gaze, teasing, "Briony, are you

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