Chapter 57

Briony was the first to look away, turning to the older woman and saying, "You've got it wrong-he's not my husband."

"Oh?" The woman blinked in surprise, caught off guard for the first time in her years of sales pitches. After a long pause, she managed, "Oh... I see."

Briony didn't dwell on the awkward exchange. She grabbed a neatly packaged tray of ribs from the meat counter and headed toward the produce section. Stewart watched her go, his eyes cool and unreadable.

...

By the time they returned to Southcreek Manor, it was already noon.

Briony went straight to the kitchen to start lunch.

Irwin was in the living room, tinkering with his new toys.

No sooner had Briony tied on her apron than the glass kitchen door slid open.

She turned and saw Stewart step inside.

"Did you need something?" she asked.

He glanced at the ingredients on the counter, his voice calm. "Do you want a hand?"

"I'm fine," Briony replied without looking up, already busy at the sink.

Stewart stood and watched her for a moment before quietly leaving. She turned on the tap and pulled out the vegetables to wash them.

long

these,"

the plastic gloves he held

still healing. It'd be

faint pink patch of new skin on the back of her hand. He

her tone flat. "Thanks.

word, Stewart left the

he was just recovering from pneumonia, Briony chose mild, nourishing

years, she'd researched countless meal plans for Irwin-meals tailored

demanding, but after five years, she moved around the

brought out five dishes

ready. Go wash your hands,"

dropped his toy and scampered off to wash up, then hurried to take his seat at the

bowl of chicken and yam soup for

was practically watering as he looked at the spread. He grinned, "Thanks, Mom! You worked

a faint smile. "Dig

a

apron, walked it back to the kitchen, and paused. After a moment, she took the apron and

of rice, sitting next to Irwin and setting one bowl in front of him, the

Stewart watched her

served Irwin some vegetables, then quietly focused on her

bowls of rice would have

eat with single-minded

a moment, he stood and went into the

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