A stretch of spring rain lingered on and off until the tail end of April.

By early May, Northborough was basking in the first warmth of summer. The dampness had lifted; now, the breeze carried the scent of wisteria.

On the day Lori turned one month old, Briony and Maynard took her for a check- up at the hospital.

Carol had come down with a nasty cold, so Briony had given her a few days off.

Maynard knew Briony was taking Lori for her check-up, so he'd shown up early outside Pearbrook Manor. He claimed he just happened to be free; Briony, in a rush to leave, didn't object.

The doctor assured them that Lori was thriving, every milestone right on track.

Briony finally felt at ease.

With the exam done, she cradled Lori in her arms as she and Maynard walked toward the hospital entrance.

She hadn't expected to bump into Stewart right at the doors.

The encounter was sudden and unavoidable; both sides stopped in their tracks.

Their eyes met, and silence fell between them.

a while since they'd last

boy, seven or eight years

guess who he was-Xenia Cooper's son,

Stewart broke the silence first. Briony gave

She looked much better than before-her complexion was rosy, she'd even put on a little

thrown a lavish birthday party for Vernon not long ago, inviting all of Northborough's elite in a very public display. Stewart had attended as Vernon's biological father, and Maynard had received an

Xenia Cooper, and Vernon-a picture-perfect family-was still

eyes flicked to Vernon, and he couldn't resist twisting the knife. "Mr. Wentworth, is your son

brows knit together; he shot

you for asking, sir," Vernon piped up. "It's just a little cold. My dad brought me here to get

replied with a bright smile, "your dad must be

a thin, hard

away. "Let's head home," she

"Of course. Let's go."

walked

paused, clapping Stewart lightly on the shoulder. "You're a

son is this well-behaved

tightened, his mouth a thin,

after they'd gone did

waiting with the car at the hospital

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

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