"Because he wasn't born from Mommy. He has his own mom."
Stewart's face darkened. "Briony, there's no need to say things like that to a child."
"Oh, really?" Briony shot him a cold smile. "You want Little Nina to be close to Irwin, but have you even considered whether Irwin can accept this little sister who's suddenly appeared in his life?"
His expression grew stormy. "So you're teaching Little Nina to be wary of Irwin?"
"I'm simply telling my daughter the truth. She may be small, but she's not stupid. She'll work out for herself how to deal with Irwin."
Stewart looked at Briony, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
"You've changed, Briony."
Briony's laughter was short and sharp. "No, Stewart. You just never really knew me. You never really understood Irwin, either. Don't look at me like that, as though I'm the villain here. Maybe you should ask yourself—do you really love Irwin as much as you say? If you did, why are you always trying to hand off the responsibility of looking after him to someone else?"
Stewart's gaze turned cold, his dark eyes locked on her.
Briony ignored him, turning to stare out the window, her face unreadable.
Seeing this, Stewart clenched his jaw and said nothing more, turning away with a stony face.
The car fell into heavy silence.
Little Nina reached her arms toward James. "Godfather, cuddle!"
James immediately scooped her into his lap, ruffling her hair. "Missing your godfather already?"
"Mhm." Little Nina rested against his chest, her voice small and a little glum.
James could sense her mood and let out a quiet sigh.
She looked up at him, whispering, "Godfather, I don't really like him. He always makes Mommy upset. Why is he so annoying?"
James hesitated, unsure how to explain the complicated mess between Stewart and Briony to a child. He settled for, "Let the grown-ups sort out their own problems. All you need to do, Little Nina, is be happy, okay?"
Little Nina rubbed her eyes, drowsy. "I'm kind of sleepy."
He adjusted her in his arms so she'd be more comfortable. "Then nap here, sweetheart. I'll hold you."
"Okay." She yawned, closed her eyes, and soon drifted off.
—
Half an hour later, the minivan pulled into their neighborhood, winding along the quiet streets.
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