Briony met his gaze, her lips pale but curling into a faint smile. "At this point, playing what-if only brings more trouble," she said softly.

She rose to her feet and looked away, her voice as gentle as a midnight breeze drifting into the man's chest. "I've let it go. You should, too."

Upstairs, in the guest bedroom.

Cedric Clarke eased open the door. The small nightlight glowed softly in one

corner.

On the big bed, Aster was sprawled out, fast asleep.

Cedric stepped inside, eyes sweeping the room.

No sign of Stella.

He paused, assuming she wasn't there—until he heard something from the bathroom. A muffled sound: a woman trying to stifle her sobs.

Cedric's heart seized, as if caught in a vise.

He rushed to the bathroom, grabbing the handle, but the door wouldn't budge. It was locked from the inside.

Leaning his forehead against the door, he lowered his voice. "Star, can you open the door?"

The crying stopped for a moment, but Stella gave no reply.

He tried to coax her, voice hoarse. "It's my fault. I was an ass. Just open up, okay? I'll get down on my knees and beg-whatever you want."

Still nothing.

Cedric grew frantic. Stella had lost her temper before, but she'd never shut herself away like this, crying alone.

He realized his words tonight must have really hurt her.

"Star, I said the wrong thing. Will you please come out? Hit me if you want, just

and cry.

Still no answer.

options, Cedric turned and left

Briony and Stewart were about to head to the

"What's wrong?" Briony asked.

herself in the

Briony fell silent.

a washboard?" Cedric

the laundry room. "You can check

"Thanks."

washboard and then got the bathroom key from Briony. Without another

his nose, half-amused. "Didn't know that

Briony glanced at him.

looked back

met, the air

the first to look away,

slender silhouette, letting out

...

backyard was alive

Carey, Hannah, and a few others were playing with the

Nina and Hittle

and irresistibly cute. Nina, especially, with her sweet baby voice

away-kneeling, crouching, sideways, vertical, every angle imaginable, determined to

kids but

never used to be much for kids, but Briony's twins were impossible to resist. He found himself taking

slipped his phone back into his pocket and stood up-just

over. "Kids all

them up to bed," Briony answered, her voice calm

sorry if I haven't

with me?" Maynard chuckled.

place here-peaceful, perfect

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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