“What is there to explain?” Stella stepped protectively in front of Briony, glaring at Stewart with open hostility. “You two are getting divorced! There’s no way Bryn is having your child, so stop dreaming!”
James shot Stewart a cold look as well. “Mr. Wentworth, this is getting rather undignified, don’t you think?”
Stewart ignored them both. His sharp, dark gaze was locked on Briony, unyielding.
Stella was furious, ready to tell James to pull Stewart away, when hurried footsteps echoed from behind-
Cedric Clarke appeared with a couple of nurses, rushing over. He grabbed Stewart’s arm–but didn’t dare use brute force.
Usually the model of calm and composure, Cedric’s face was now thunderous with anger. “You’ve got broken ribs and you’re running around? Do you have any idea how close you are to killing yourself?”
Stewart winced and tried to shrug Cedric off, but the pain in his chest only intensified, draining what little color remained from his face.
Still, he refused to give in. “Let go of me…”
“No, you’re the one who needs to let go!” Cedric pried at Stewart’s hand, which was clamped stubbornly on Briony’s wrist, but Stewart wouldn’t budge. Cedric’s patience snapped. “Let go! Your ribs are broken–if you move like this, you could puncture your lung and die!”
Stewart still wouldn’t back down.
He fixed his eyes on Briony, determined to get an answer from her.
“Briony, answer me. Are you pregnant?”
Briony frowned and stayed silent.
Cedric knew this was absolutely the wrong time to be grilling Briony about a pregnancy, but looking at Stewart’s expression, he realized Stewart wouldn’t stop until he got an answer.
With a sigh, Cedric glanced at Briony. “He’s seriously hurt. Maybe… just tell him the truth?”
Briony’s face was icy. “I don’t care if he lives or dies.”
Cedric: “…”
“Don’t worry, Briony. I’m not dying anytime soon.” Stewart’s lips curled in a cold, humorless smile. “But the child you’re carrying? That child will have my name, no matter what.”
Alarm bells blared in Briony’s mind, though she forced herself to appear calm and unbothered.
This wasn’t the first time Stewart had suspected she was pregnant.
But clearly, this time he was more certain than ever.
Once Stewart decided on something, it was almost impossible to change his mind.
If she tried to deny it outright like before, he wouldn’t buy it. But if she admitted it, given his current attitude, he’d fight her for custody.
In families like his, heirs mattered more than anything. And a man like Stewart would never allow his child to take anyone else’s name.
If he took her to court, she didn’t stand a chance.
Besides, their divorce wasn’t even finalized yet…
Briony pressed her lips together and, in that moment, made a reckless decision.
“Stewart, you want the truth?” She looked him in the eye, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. But don’t
1/2
་ ་་་་་་ ་་་
say I didn’t warn you.”
Stewart’s gaze grew even darker.
“That’s right. I was pregnant.”
Stewart’s brows shot up, but before he could react, Briony’s voice cut in, cold as ice.
“But this morning, I lost the baby.”
Stewart’s pupils contracted. “That’s not possible…”
“If you don’t believe me, ask Dr. Clarke to pull my hospital records,” Briony replied evenly, glancing quickly at Stella. The look lasted only a split second, but Stella caught it.
2/2
