Chapter 13
His brow furrowed ever so slightly as he reached out for it.
Briony couldn’t hold back any longer–she took a shaky step toward Stewart.
The pregnancy test in her grip was squeezed so tightly it was close to snapping in two.
All the emotions she’d bottled up over the past few days finally hit their breaking point.
“Stewart…”
“Hurry up, Dad!”
Irwin’s impatient voice cut Briony off, and in the same instant, shattered Stewart’s urge to look into what was happening.
He managed a faint smile. “Alright, we’re going.”
And with that, he scooped Irwin into his arms and walked straight out the door.
Not once did Stewart glance in Briony’s direction.
She stayed frozen where she was until the sound of the car pulling away faded into the distance.
At last, her rigid body gave out. She braced herself on the back of the sofa and slowly sank to the floor.
Head bowed, she stared down at the two clear red lines on the test, the image blurring as hot tears welled up and spilled over, landing right where the lines met.
If Stewart had spared her even a single look, he would have seen the pregnancy test clutched in her hand.
But, just like his gaze, his heart had never lingered on her–not once, not ever.
Briony crouched there, tears streaming down her cheeks, her quiet sobs echoing through the vast, empty halls of Southcreek Manor.
Half an hour later, she sent a photo to her friend on WhatsApp.
Best Friend: [That test is pretty accurate. Come in for a check–up tomorrow morning, okay?]
Briony: [I want to schedule an abortion directly.]
Best Friend: [!!!]
A second later, her phone rang. ‘Star‘ flashed on the screen.
Briony, now eerily calm as she packed her suitcase, set aside the half–folded clothes, picked up her phone, and answered.
“Does Stewart know?” Stella Joyner’s voice on the other end was serious. “You need to think this through–this is your first child.”
“He doesn’t know,” Briony replied barely above a whisper. “We’re getting divorced. He already has Irwin. He won’t care about this unexpected baby.”
Stella fell silent for a moment.
She knew all about Briony and Stewart’s marriage.
“I’ll admit, I never thought you and Stewart were a good match at first, but after these five years, watching you with him and Irwin, I really started to believe maybe you’d make it work. Who would have thought… Ugh! You know what it feels like? Like binge–watching a show and then it just falls apart in the last episode.”
Briony blinked away the burn in her eyes.
15.41
Chapter 19
She couldn’t bear to get into all the details with Stella. If she had to blame someone, it would have to be herself–for loving the wrong person and not knowing how to let go.
“I’ll come see you tomorrow,” Briony said with quiet resolve.
Stella let out a long, pained sigh. “You can’t do anything tomorrow–you need a check–up first. We’ll talk when you get here.”
“Okay,”
Briony hung up, set her phone aside, and continued packing.
Although Stewart had left Southcreek Manor to her, she had no intention of staying.
She knew Stewart wouldn’t care about the house anyway. Her plan was to sell it once the divorce was finalized. Five years of living here meant a lot of accumulated stuff.
Briony only packed her everyday clothes and a few bags to take with her. The rest she left for Stewart to deal with, and if he couldn’t be bothered, it could all be cleared out when the house was sold.
Once her suitcases were packed, Briony signed the divorce papers and placed them front and center on the coffee table.
Wheeling her two suitcases behind her, she left Southcreek Manor, closed the door, and walked away without looking back.
