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

yourself away and

Still no answer.

options, Cedric turned and

about to head to the

"What's wrong?" Briony asked.

locked herself in

Briony fell silent.

washboard?" Cedric

pointed toward the laundry room. "You can

"Thanks."

found the old washboard and then got the bathroom

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

Briony glanced at him.

back

met, the air

was the first to

watched her slender silhouette, letting

...

backyard was alive with

a few others were playing with the

Nina and Hittle

were the center of attention bright-eyed, clever, and irresistibly cute. Nina, especially, with her sweet baby voice and

their phones out, snapping away-kneeling, crouching, sideways, vertical, every angle

to the side, unable to chase after the kids but happily interacting from her seat. She'd get

used to be much for kids, but Briony's twins were impossible to resist. He found himself

slipped his phone back into his pocket and stood up-just as Briony and Stewart

over.

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

sorry if I haven't been the best host

with me?" Maynard chuckled. "You designed

perfect for a friendly

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