MainNovelChapter 526 Stella froze for a moment.
"The first tI met Mario, he was so small and frail. His face was delicate, almost ethereal, but he looked pale and sickly, his dark eyes staring atwith a kind of blankness. I saw myself reflected in those eyes. Even though I had no idea then that he was my child, seeing him like that-well, it broke my heart. That image is burned into my memory, even now." Stella listened, feeling her own heart twist with pain.
"From the very beginning, Mawas instinctively drawn toand Little Nina," Briony continued, pausing for a breath. "At first, he wasn't close to Stewart at all. But later, when James and I went to Westenmar to bring him home, something had changed-Matrusted Stewart completely, even more than me, sometimes." "Maybe that's just the power of blood ties," Stella murmured, glancing down at Aster cradled in her arms. "This little guy was such a handful during my recovery. No one could soothe him except Cedric Clarke. The moment someone else tried to hold him, he'd start crying. That whole month, Cedric barely got any sleep-he had to hold Aster every night to keep him calm." Aster blinked up at his mother, gurgling as if agreeing with her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWatching Aster's sweet face, Briony felt a heavier weight of guilt settle in her chest.
She'd missed all of Mario's baby years.
That regret had haunted her, turning into an obsession, making her doubt Stewart's affection for Mafrom the start.
Looking back, Briony couldn't help but feel a pang of remorse.
"After Macback to Northborough, he stuck to Stewart like glue. Every tI picked him up, I saw little changes in him, Star. Stewart must have made him feel safe-otherwise Mawouldn't even be calling out 'Dad' in his sleep." Stella was moved, too. "So you're worried that if Stewart's gone, little Mawon't be able to cope?" Briony pressed her lips together and nodded.
"Well, there's nothing you can do," Stella sighed. "Cedric Clarke is devastated too. Sometimes, people are just so fragile in the face of life and death." Briony pulled up the handle of her suitcase, hesitated, and said, "Stewart didn't have a great family growing up either. In a way, these two kids saved him. That's why he does everything he can for them." "Honestly, Star, I keep thinking he shouldn't be gone yet. If fate could have given him more time, I think he would have been an even better parent than me." "You're amazing, too," Stella blurted out. "Bryn, your childhood was rough, but you still chose to keep those kids, even when things were at their worst. That alone makes you the best, most qualified mother for them!" Briony looked at Stella and gave a gentle smile. "Star, you're the only one who's always believed in me, no matter what." Even Julia Hudson, back then, had suspected Briony of being the reason Stewart and Rosita split up. Only Stella had never doubted her.
Briony's eyes crinkled with warmth. "Thank you, Star." "Of course! I'm your soulmate!" Stella ?e2 said with a wink. "Tell you
what-why don't you wait for me? Once I divorce Cedric Clarke, I'll bring Aster you bring little Maand Little ΕΠ Nina, and we'll all live together happily ever after!" Briony immediately took three steps back, pulling a face. "Sorry, but I have no interest in being the 'other woman'-no matter the gender." Stella gaped at her in mock outrage.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWith her suitcase in tow, Briony headed downstairs.
Before she left, Stewart called her out to the garden for a private word.
Under the soft glow of the porch m lights, their shadows stretched across the flagstones.
Stewart looked at Briony, his eyes m dark and serious. "I want to transfer Mario's guardianship to you." Briony stopped in her tracks, stunned.
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