RedNovelStewart couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The kids were so thoughtful. They could tell he was feeling down and were trying their best to cheer him up.
But deep down, Stewart knew the truth: Briony would never have invited him to stay at Pearbrook Mansion of her own accord. It was only because the kids had begged, and she couldn't bear to disappoint them, that she'd agreed.
The reality was, in Briony's eyes, Stewart no longer belonged under this roof. A dull ache settled in his chest.
He told himself he had no right to ask about Briony's personal life anymore, but the thought of her and Maynard spending the night together at the Windsor made jealousy twist inside him anyway.
Maynard's pursuit of Briony was anything but subtle—bold, open, and relentless. Now, with the two of them working together, they had every excuse to be around each other all the time.
Stewart couldn't help but wonder: with Maynard coming on so strong, how long could Briony hold her ground? He looked at his two children-so perceptive and mature for their age-and closed his eyes, silent.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe idea that Briony might let another man into her life tore at him, but he knew, clear as day, he had lost the right to say anything about it.
Maybe this was the ending he and Briony were meant to have.
He'd have to learn to bury his love so deep it would never see daylight again-let it wither, quietly, until his heart stopped beating.
That night, Stewart stayed over.
By nine o'clock he was tucked into bed with the kids, watching them play and giggle, though his mind kept wandering back to Briony's face.
He hated himself for it, but he couldn't resist nudging his little girl. "Why don't you call your mom, Nina? See if she'll pick up?" Nina's eyes lit up. "Okay!" She grabbed Stewart's phone and dialed Briony's video chat.
No answer.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Nina pouted. "Do you think Mommy's asleep already?" Stewart pressed his lips together.
Maybe Briony had seen his non the screen and decided not to answer, he thought bitterly.
Machimed in, pulling out his own kiddie smartwatch. "I'll call her, Dad!" He dialed. The call rang and rang, but no one picked up.
Matried again.
Finally, after an eternity, someone answered—but it wasn't Briony. Maynard's voice cthrough the speaker. "Mario?" Mafroze, staring at his watch in disbelief.
Why was Mr. Maynard answering his mom's phone? He glanced up at Stewart, bewildered.
Stewart's jaw tightened as he fixed his gaze on Mario's smartwatch, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe air in the room grew thick.
Nina scooted closer to the watch, her tiny voice piping up, "Mr. Maynard, where's my mom?" "She's in the shower," Maynard replied, sounding far too relaxed. "It's past nine, shouldn't you two be in bed?" "Oh, we're about to! We're waiting for Daddy to finish our bedtstory," Nina answered brightly, making sure to add, "and then we'll go right to sleep!" Maynard paused. "Your dad's there tonight?" "Yep!" Nina grinned, proud as could be. "Mom said he could stay, so Daddy's here with us!" Maynard let out a low chuckle.
"That's great-having your dad there means your mom and I don't have to worry about you. Now, you two listen to your dad and go to sleep soon, okay?" Nina blinked. Something about what Maynard said sounded off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She scratched her forehead. "Mr.
Maynard, will you tell Mommy we called?" "Of course. I'll let her know. Goodnight, Nina. Goodnight, Mario." "Goodnight, Mr. Maynard!" Nina chirped.
The call ended, and both kids turned to look at Stewart, their big dark eyes shining with worry and sympathy.
For a grown man in his thirties, Stewart had never under the gave felt smaller than ennent is on novelenglish.net! of his not-quite-six-year-old children.
He let out a heavy breath, rubbing his brow. "Daddy's fine, don't worry." Nina pressed her chubby fingers together, thinking hard. "Grown-ups like to act tough. Uncle James says men never cry when they're sad-they just bleed inside where no one can see." Stewart: "..." What on earth has James been teaching these kids?
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