Little Nina didn’t have school that day.
Briony took her out for a little shopping spree at the mall. They picked out some toys boys would love, along with a few shirts and pants.
As they walked through the toy aisle, Little Nina looked up at her and asked, “Mom, can’t we bring little Mario home to stay with us for a few days?”
Briony gently smoothed her daughter’s hair and answered softly, “Mario has daily tasks he needs to finish, sweetheart. He probably can’t come and stay at Skybreeze Retreat for now.”
Little Nina blinked, thinking it over. “So does that mean he doesn’t even get to sleep in on weekends?”
Briony smiled. “Well, when we see him, you can ask him yourself.”
Little Nina beamed and nodded. “Okay!”
…
Briony hadn’t told anyone—not even Carol—that she was bringing Little Nina along to visit Mario.
At the security gate of Southcreek Manor, the guard wouldn’t let them through.
Sitting in the car, Briony pulled out her phone and called Carol.
Carol picked up and rushed outside, flustered. “This is Master Mario’s biological mother. Who told you to keep her out?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Carol,” the guard replied helplessly. “Ms. Riley specifically instructed us not to let strangers in.”
The word “strangers” made Carol’s expression falter. She glanced anxiously at Briony.
Briony sat behind the wheel, hands on the steering wheel, her face expressionless.
She and Stewart were divorced now. Technically, she was an outsider.
If not for Mario, she would have no desire to set foot here ever again.
The car rolled slowly through the gates of Southcreek Manor and came to a stop.
Briony switched off the engine, stepped out, and opened the back door to help Little Nina down.
Then she popped open the trunk and took out the toys and clothes she’d bought.
Carol hurried over to help, her arms soon loaded with shopping bags. “Ms. Kensington, please, let me carry those.”
Briony took her daughter’s hand and followed Carol inside.
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