Briony knew right away—those weren’t books. They had to be urgent documents the company needed Stewart to sign.
So, Stewart was working from home now.
“Once Daddy finishes his work, he’ll come play with me and little Mario. He draws with us, and sometimes we play board games together. Oh, and Daddy teaches us how to write, too! Mommy, he writes your name so beautifully!”
Briony paused, her heart tightening.
“But,” Little Nina’s voice dropped a bit, “I think Daddy might be sick.”
Briony lowered her gaze, looking her daughter in the eyes. “How do you know that, sweetheart?”
“He coughs a lot, and I noticed these little marks on the back of his hand—like he got poked with a needle. When I asked what they were, Daddy said they were mosquito bites.” Little Nina pouted, crossing her arms. “Hmph, Daddy’s not telling the truth. He still thinks I’m a little kid who’ll believe anything!”
Briony’s expression grew complicated.
It certainly seemed like Stewart’s health was in trouble.
But clearly, Stewart didn’t want anyone to know.
And honestly, it wasn’t the sort of thing that should get out. Not with how shaky things were at The Wentworth Group. If word spread that Stewart was sick, he’d be surrounded by enemies before he could blink.
“Mom?” Little Nina tilted her chin, gazing up at Briony with wide, searching eyes. “Why did you and Daddy fight and split up?”
Children are always children—especially one as sharp and curious as Little Nina. She was innocent, but nobody’s fool.
She couldn’t grasp the tangled world of adults, but she could see plain as day that Daddy cared about Mommy.
She could also sense that Mommy didn’t want anything to do with Daddy.
Briony didn’t answer her daughter’s question.
Instead, she pulled Little Nina into her arms, her voice gentle and warm. “Little Nina, you just need to remember this: Even if Daddy and I aren’t together anymore, we both love you and little Mario just the same. That will never, ever change.”
Little Nina blinked. “I know, Mommy. I love both you and Daddy, but… I love Mommy the most.”
Briony tweaked her soft little earlobe. “I know, sweetheart.”
“But sometimes, when Daddy looks at me and little Mario, he just sort of stares off into space. He looks kind of… sad.”
Briony closed her eyes for a moment and sighed, helpless. “Little Nina, it’s late. Time for bed.”
“Okay.” Little Nina squeezed her eyes shut. “Mommy, can I sing you a lullaby tonight?”
A warmth bloomed in Briony’s chest. “Of course. Tonight, you get to tuck Mommy in.”
“Yay!”
Briony switched off the nightlight, plunging the room into darkness.
In the quiet, Little Nina’s sweet, gentle voice carried through the room as she began to sing her lullaby.
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