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Little Nina’s eyes darted around before finally landing on the figurine in Stewart’s hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she shook her head with surprising resolve.
“Even if you’re my dad, I can’t accept this gift.”
Stewart was caught off guard, blinking in confusion.
It took him a while to find his voice. “Why not?”
“Because if you take someone’s gift, you owe them a favor!” Little Nina raised her hand with at dramatic flourish, shaking her head as she let out a tiny, exaggerated sigh, looking every bit the miniature grown–up. “You’re just trying to bribe me, and I’m not falling for it!”
Stewart:
Garry, who’d been watching from the sidelines, burst into laughter.
James couldn’t help but smile too. He ruffled Little Nina’s hair and beamed with pride. “That’s my girl! Keep that sharp mind of yours, sweetheart–no smooth–talking guy will ever trick you!”
*James.” Carney scolded him, “Don’t fill her head with nonsense. She’s only four!”
James just shrugged. “Better to teach her how the world works early. Otherwise, it’ll be too late once she’s older. Look at Bryn…”
He shot Stewart a glance full of mock disapproval and shook his head with a sigh. “What a
mess.
Carney: “…”
Garry lounged back on the sofa, his eyes nearly disappearing as he laughed.
Little Mario, seeing his dad so cheerful for the first time, blinked his big, dark eyes and then broke into a goofy smile of his own.
“Hey!” Little Nina cried out, pointing at Little Mario in delight. “He’s smiling! Little Mario, you’re so cute when you smile!”
In an instant, her attention shifted from Stewart to her little playmate.
She left Stewart behind, grabbing Little Mario’s hand and pulling him over to the kids‘ play area behind the sofa.
“Come on, Little Mario, give me another smile! If you do, I’ll give you this toy too, okay?”
Little Mario: “Okay!”
“Aw, you’re adorable when you smile! I wish you went to my preschool–you’re way cuter than any of the boys there!”
Little Mario: “Cute!”
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The grown–ups couldn’t help but overhear the exchange.
It was clear Little Nina was encouraging Little Mario to talk more.
With his daughter’s sweet, childish voice echoing in his ears, Stewart stared at the Elsa figurine in his hand, his eyes dark and unreadable.
The local grocery store was just a short walk from home.
Briony found herself growing tense at the thought of Stewart still being in the house.
Gwendolyn White tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry. James and your godfather are there–do you really think Stewart could just take off with Little Nina?”
“I’m not worried he’ll snatch her away. I’m worried about what he might say to her.”
“Your little girl is clever as can be. Trust me, Stewart doesn’t stand a chance.”
Gwendolyn let out a gentle sigh. “I only brought you out because I didn’t want you two arguing in
front of Little Nina.”
“I know you mean well,” Briony replied. “It’s just… court is in two days. Stewart showing up now,
it’s obvious he’s after Little Nina.”
“Bryn, I know you want to break free from Stewart as soon as possible. But he’s still Little Nina’s biological father. Even if you get divorced, he has the right to see his child. That’s just the way it is–and you need to accept it.”
Briony pressed her lips together.
She understood, of course.
Even if she and Stewart divorced, if Little Nina wanted to have a relationship with her father, Briony couldn’t stop her.
Blood ties run deep. They can’t be cut.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t face the reality. It was that she was afraid.
Afraid that Stewart would use Little Nina as leverage, dragging out the divorce…
“You know…” Gwendolyn saw right through her and lowered her voice. “Are you in such a hurry to get divorced because you’re eager to meet someone new?”
Briony was momentarily taken aback, then shook her head. “No, that’s not it at all. I just want a clean break from Stewart, so I can raise Little Nina on my own, in peace.”
“Well, if you’re not rushing into a second marriage, then it’s simple!”
Gwendolyn grinned. “Of course, it’s best if the divorce goes through. But if it doesn’t–so what? You can just live separately. And as long as you’re still married, Little Nina is still the
Wentworth family’s little heiress! Think about it–even if Stewart is gone one day, she’ll inherit
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his fortune fair and square.”
Briony paused.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t get divorced. But even with Mr. Chadwick helping you, if Stewart really digs in his heels, this could drag on for ages. Are you really going to let him keep you in limbo?”
Briony stopped walking, her frown slowly easing.
Gwendolyn, noticing the change, smiled with satisfaction. “You get what I mean?”
“Yes!” Briony looked at her, smiling for the first time in a while. “Thank you, godmother. I know
what I need to do now.”
“That’s all I wanted.” Gwendolyn tucked Briony’s arm in hers, her voice warm. “We women need to find peace within ourselves. Inner strength and independence are our best armor.”
Gwendolyn’s advice had calmed Briony’s nerves.
When they got home, she stopped obsessing over whether Stewart had told their daughter the truth about his identity.
She focused on Little Nina’s mood instead.
Seeing her daughter playing and laughing without a care in the world, Briony finally relaxed and headed into the kitchen to help Gwendolyn prepare dinner.
When the meal was ready, Gwendolyn called everyone to the table.
The four men all had some wine with dinner.
James, the lightweight of the group, rarely drank, so just one glass of whiskey had him tipsy and giggling. Gwendolyn and Briony had to help him upstairs to bed.
By the time they came back down, Carney had also succumbed to the drinks.
Gwendolyn scolded him for trying to keep up with the younger men, then insisted on staying with him while he slept it off.
Briony helped carry Carney to bed as well.
When she finally came downstairs again, only Stewart and Garry were left at the table.
Little Nina and Little Mario were playing in the living room, Carol keeping an eye on them.
Seeing Briony, Carol got up and walked over, dropping her voice to a whisper. “My boss and that attorney of yours can really hold their liquor. If they keep at it, I’m afraid someone’s going to end up in the ER!”
Briony glanced at the dining table.
Stewart and Garry were sitting across from each other, both with flushed cheeks from the
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alcohol, but still sitting straight and looking as composed as ever.
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