The sound of footsteps faded into the distance, and Rosita lowered her head, finally letting out a silent sigh of
relief.
Stewart stood by the door, his expression icy and unreadable, eyes dark with something unspoken.
Rosita glanced up at him, uncertain what was going through his mind.
“Stewart?” she ventured.
He snapped out of his reverie and looked at her.
“Ms. Kensington only said those harsh things because she was worried. Please don’t be upset,” Rosita said gently, trying to smooth things over. “Right now, all we can hope is that Ms. Hudson is found soon. It’s almost the holidays, and Ms. Hudson, she…”
“Yesterday,” Stewart cut her off, his tone cold as he fixed her with an unblinking stare, “did you and Julia really not say anything to each other?”
Rosita froze, caught off guard by his probing gaze. Her heart skipped a beat. “Stewart, what are you implying… Are you accusing me?”
His eyes narrowed as he studied her seemingly innocent face. “Just answer the question: did you say anything to Julia?”
“I…” Rosita instinctively took a step back, panic flickering across her features.
Stewart was a lawyer, and had studied psychology. Rosita knew better than to keep denying it–if he was asking, it meant he already suspected her. If she kept insisting she was innocent, he’d only become more guarded with her in the future.
Her eyes reddened with emotion. “I’m sorry. She asked me directly who Irwin’s real parents were… I… I couldn’t bring myself to lie.”
At her confession, Stewart’s expression turned even colder. “Rosita, before you came back, you promised me you wouldn’t reveal Irwin’s identity.”
Rosita froze.
“Irwin is where I draw the line,” Stewart said, his voice like ice. “You crossed it this time. I think you should leave.”
Rosita shook her head, face pale. “I’m sorry, Stewart. I swear I didn’t mean to tell her. Ms. Hudson pressed me so hard–I was afraid she’d say something to Irwin, and I just panicked-”
“Go home, Rosita.” Stewart had already turned away, walking over to the floor–to–ceiling window with his back to her.
He clearly wasn’t interested in hearing any more excuses.
Rosita bit her lip, standing motionless as she stared at the outline of his shoulders. Tears slid down her cheeks as she finally turned and headed for the door.
But the moment she reached the threshold, her legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor.
“Ms. Lockwood!” Carl called out in alarm, rushing over. “Mr. Wentworth, Ms. Lockwood’s fainted!” Stewart stopped in his tracks, then strode quickly over and knelt to scoop Rosita into his arms
“Get the car. We’re going to the hospital.”
After emergency treatment, Rosita’s condition stabilized and she was transferred to a private room.
14.04
υπαρισι συ
Cedric Clarke came by as soon as he got the news.
Stewart stood in the hallway, looking tense and grim, his mood as dark as a thundercloud.
Cedric glanced at the closed door to Rosita’s room. “You know, after all these years of treatment, I’m surprised Rosita’s health hasn’t improved at all.”
Stewart didn’t reply. “Julia’s missing,” he said instead.
Cedric blinked in surprise. “Wait–how did you hear about that?”
“What do you mean, how did I hear about it?” Stewart frowned, studying Cedric with a searching look.
“At four this morning, Dr. Joyner called me,” Cedric explained, sighing. “I went with her to the Kensingtons‘ and the Hudsons‘. No luck. We reported Julia missing as soon as it got light.”
Stewart’s brow furrowed.
“Yesterday, Julia came by my office. I got a phone call and had to step out–Rosita was there too, so the two of them were alone for a while. Rosita…” Stewart hesitated, pressing his lips together. “She told Julia the truth about Irwin.”
“Hold on, I feel like I’m missing something here,” Cedric said, giving Stewart a pointed look. “I always had a hunch things weren’t simple between you and Ms. Kensington. You’ve never wanted to talk about it, and I never pushed. But if Julia’s disappearance has anything to do with you, you’d better come clean with me, Stewart–no more secrets.”
Stewart rubbed his forehead, letting out a weary sigh. “Briony and I were married in secret for five years. Irwin’s her son–she raised him.”
“What?!” Cedric’s eyes went wide. “I must be sleep–deprived, because there’s no way I just heard that right. Stewart, you-”
He was cut off by the sudden ring of his phone.
It was Stella calling.
Cedric answered immediately. “Dr. Joyner, any news about Ms. Hudson? …What?! How could- Okay, don’t panic. I’ll be there right away.”
Stewart stared at him. “Is there news about Julia?”
Cedric hung up and met Stewart’s anxious gaze, heaving a long sigh.
Stewart’s nerves were stretched tight. “What’s with that look? Did you find Julia or not?”
Cedric just shook his head, clapping Stewart on the shoulder. “Buddy, you’d better brace yourself.”
