Chapter 310
Stewart said nothing. He just cast a faint glance at James, then turned to Briony. “You’re still going through with the divorce?”
Briony caught the edge of a threat in his tone.
Sure enough, his next words came cold and sharp: “Briony, we have a daughter. You shouldn’t be so stubborn.”
Briony let out a mocking laugh. “Four years ago, it was all about Irwin. Now, after all this time, you’re using our daughter?”
“Irwin’s different now. Jeannie Radcliffe’s done a good job raising him–he’s much more mature.” Briony almost found it funny.
“Stewart, what am I to you, really? Is tormenting me the only thing that makes you feel alive?”
Stewart frowned, about to retort, but just then, the teacher came out with the children.
Briony ignored him, turning away with James to look for Little Nina.
The moment Little Nina spotted them, she bounded over, grinning from ear to ear.
“Mama! Uncle James!”
Briony knelt down, gathering her daughter into her arms and planting a kiss on her soft, chubby cheek. “Did you miss me, sweetheart?”
“I missed you so much!” Little Nina kissed Briony’s cheek in return, her eyes shining. “Mama, is Grandma Julia feeling any better?”
During the days Briony was caring for Julia, Gwendolyn White and the others had explained to Little Nina who Julia was.
Though she’d never met Julia, Little Nina understood: Grandma Julia was Mama’s birth mother, her family–and that made her Little Nina’s family, too.
Mama cared deeply about Grandma Julia, and if Mama cared, so would she!
The grown–ups called that: loving someone because you love the people they love.
Worried Stewart might try to approach, James scooped Little Nina up in his arms, finally relaxing once she was safe.
He shot Stewart a look, gave a dismissive snort, and turned to Briony. “Let’s head home.”
Briony nodded.
Stewart watched the three of them–so much like a happy family–his dark eyes narrowing.
Held safe in James’s arms, Little Nina’s bright eyes darted around, and suddenly she spotted
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Stewart. Her mouth formed a little “O.”
“Mama, that’s the weird man who showed up out of nowhere when we were sketching last time!”
Briony and James both froze.
So Stewart had seen Little Nina before?
They exchanged a glance.
James asked, “Sweetheart, did he say anything to you?”
“He asked my name.”
“And what did you say?” Briony prompted.
“I didn’t tell him!” Little Nina huffed, proud as could be. “I thought maybe he was a kidnapper–since I’m so cute, he might want to steal me away! So I talked really loud and called the teacher over. He was scared of her, and the second she came, he left right away!”
Briony was momentarily speechless.
James burst out laughing. “He was scared of the teacher? That’s my girl, Little Nina!”
Briony finally relaxed on hearing the whole story. So Stewart hadn’t managed to reveal who he was to Little Nina yet. But knowing Stewart, she doubted he’d keep quiet for long.
Back in the car, Stewart closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Carl buckled his seatbelt, then glanced at Stewart in the rearview mirror. “Mr. Wentworth, I’ve just received word–Ferdinand’s background has been checked, but nothing unusual showed up.”
Stewart frowned. “Nothing at all?”
“Nothing. Ferdinand comes from a perfectly ordinary family. Both parents are still living, but they’re in the countryside. He showed promise early on, was taken as the last apprentice by Dr. Calloway, and after Dr. Calloway passed, Ferdinand stayed and kept running the clinic.”
Stewart’s lips curled in a cold, humorless smile. “That’s just what he wants people to see. The part he hides–that’s who he really is.”
Carl froze.
If their people couldn’t dig up a single real detail, just how deep did Ferdinand’s secrets run?
“Should we keep investigating, Mr. Wentworth?”
“Leave Ferdinand to me. I’ll handle it.”
“Understood.” Carl hesitated, then added, “Oh, and Mr. Ferguson is in town as well.”
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Stewart’s brows arched. “Who’s he with?”
“His son.”
By the time Briony and James brought Little Nina home, Garry and little Mario had already
arrived.
After a session with Mr. Ellsworth, little Mario’s fever had broken and he was looking much
better.
The moment he saw Little Nina, his eyes lit up.
He slipped down from Garry’s lap and hurried over, reaching for Little Nina’s hand.
He still didn’t speak, but his eyes–big and shining–said more than words ever could.
Little Nina, playing the little grown–up, reached out to feel his forehead, then checked her own.
“Mario’s fever is gone!” she exclaimed, flashing a perfect row of baby teeth. “Mr. Ellsworth is amazing, isn’t he?”
Little Mario nodded enthusiastically.
“And he’s not just a great doctor–he’s really handsome, too, right?”
Little Mario nodded again.
“He’s so handsome. Since I don’t have a daddy, wouldn’t it be great if Mr. Ellsworth could be my dad?”
Little Mario nodded again, just as eagerly.
Footsteps sounded from the hallway.
A moment later, Stewart’s tall figure appeared in the doorway.
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