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.

daughter. She hugged them tight, showering them with kisses until her

Then she went upstairs.

the master bedroom had been made up for

a month old—not even old enough to recognize faces yet. She was the definition of an angelic baby: eat, sleep, repeat, never fussing,

absolutely doted on this "miracle" little

a few photos of her

holding up his phone, capturing the moment. The whole scene radiated

turned at the sound of

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

been asleep?" she

When she grows up, we're going to have our hands full with

then looked up at him. "Mr. Maynard, let's

paused, already guessing the

grinned easily. "Sure, let's talk somewhere else—don't want to wake

the study, Briony and Maynard sat across from

give you a hard

tapping his back with a rueful grin. "Grandpa even whacked

her

her gaze, teasing, "Briony, are you actually

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