Chapter 503

Sunday evening.

The full moon hung high in the summer night sky, its glow bathing everything in cool, gentle light. A refreshing breeze swept through the gardens of Skybreeze Retreat, where the leafy courtyard seemed made for sipping tea and admiring the view.

After dinner, everyone gathered in the garden's gazebo, enjoying tea and idle conversation. Aster lay in her cradle, happily munching on her tiny fingers.

Briony and Stella Joyner sat close together, Stella fiddling with an old camcorder she'd unearthed from the attic earlier that day.

"Bryn, look at this shot-remember when you were reading in the library? The sunlight came in just right and lit up your face-nature's own spotlight. I just had to snap the perfect candid!" Stella grinned, turning the camcorder's screen toward Briony.

Briony raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Looks to me like the camera's focused on the guy sitting behind me, not me. Admit it, Star, you were trying to film him."

Stella scoffed, feigning outrage. "Nonsense! I was filming you, obviously."

Briony bit back a laugh and nodded, playing along. "Of course, my mistake. You only had eyes for me."

Across the table, Cedric Clarke glanced over, eyeing the camcorder in Stella's hands and the guilty look on her face. He grinned. "Star, mind letting me have a look?"

Stella clutched the camcorder tighter. "As if! These are my private collection. Only Bryn gets to see them. Go drink your tea!"

pressed his lips together

amused. "Dr. Clarke, your status in this household is

a look and

up the drive and stopped. The driver's door opened, and Stewart stepped

to greet

glanced over. In

face

stood by the car, dark eyes

tale books for Little Nina," he said

simple, awkward affection of a father

nodded and rose, heading around to the other side of

forward, opening the

sweetheart?" he asked,

voice was sweet and clear. "Of course I did! Did you

could hardly eat or sleep thinking about my

huffed, unimpressed. "You just put your

I didn't notice!"

James was left speechless.

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