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 seen

boy, seven

guess who he was-Xenia Cooper's

for a check-up with your little one?" Stewart broke the silence first. Briony

on her, almost greedy. She looked much better than before-her

had 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,

Cooper,

to Vernon, and he couldn't resist twisting the

he shot Maynard

you for asking, sir," Vernon piped up. "It's just a little cold. My dad

bright smile, "your

his lips pressed into a thin, hard line. Instinctively, he

away. "Let's head

"Of course. Let's go."

walked

lightly on the shoulder.

their son is this well-behaved

expression tightened, his mouth a

they'd gone

was waiting with the car at

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