NovelEnglishChapter 166 On the drive back, Briony filled Stella in on the three conditions Stewart had laid out.
When Stella heard them, she exploded. "Is he out of his mind? He wants you to go on vacation with him and his son when you're about to get divorced? Ugh! What a creep! And his kid's a little brat, too!" Briony pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter a moment, Stella calmed herself and glanced over. "So, what are you thinking?" "He gavethree days to decide. I need to think it over," Briony admitted. She wasn't ready to give in just yet.
She still wanted to take her chances.
Stella didn't pick up on her hesitation, only nodded and said, "Alright, we've got three days. We'll figure something out." "Yeah." Stella dropped Briony off at Dolphin Cove.
She watched Briony disappear inside, then sat in her car, lost in thought. After sdeliberation, she pulled out her phone and called Cedric Clarke.
Cedric picked up right away. "Dr. Joyner?" "Hi, Dr. Clarke. Sorry to bother you this late. Do you have a minute?" Cedric chuckled. "I'm single with nowhere to be, so trust me, you're not interrupting anything." Stella rolled her eyes, but pressed on. "Letguess-you think I'm calling about Briony?" "What else?" Cedric replied. "Stewart's not the type to call and vent, but you are. So I figured it had to be about Briony." "You're right. Stewart met with her today at Southcreek Manor and gave her three outrageous ultimatums!" Stella was practically seething just mentioning Stewart. "Each one was crazier than the last!" "What sort of conditions?" Stella ranted, listing all three to Cedric.
He listened in silence, and after a long pause, finally said, "I'll admit, those are pretty out there. But I have a feeling Stewart means what he says this time. You might want to advise Briony to consider it." "Me? Advise her to give in?!" Stella's voice nearly blew out the speakers. Cedric winced and held the phone away from his ear.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Cedric Clarke, I thought you had more sense! Sure, you're friends with Stewart, but I figured you still had basic decency. I called you hoping you'd talk ssense into him-not take his side!" "Hold on-" Cedric started, exasperated. "Just hearout-calm down for a second-" "If you defend Stewart one more time, don't expectto ever acknowledge you again!" "No need to go that far," Cedric said with a faint laugh. "But I know Stewart. The fact that he's laying out terms means he's actually serious about the divorce." "What do you expect? He's already planning a wedding with Rosita! Unless he thinks he's in smedieval and can have multiple wives at once!"
Cedric hesitated. "About Rosita... It's complicated. She has brain cancer, cancer, and she's struggled with depression. Stewart's only marrying her to make sure she doesn't leave this world with regrets." "Brain cancer and depression?" Stella was skeptical. "She's an actress-she's been faking it all along!"
Cedric paused again. "I've looked into it myself. The fact that you're callingshows you still trusta little, so I'll stand by what I say." Stella picked up on the hidden meaning. "So there is something fishy about Rosita, isn't there?" "I can't tell you everything. But I will say this: Stewart's done Briony wrong, but he's got his own burdens." Cedric's voice trailed off, then becfirm. "If you and Briony want this divorce finalized soon, take my advice: accept Stewart's terms." Stella was still fuming, but she knew Cedric wasn't one to let right and wrong get muddled.
"And if Briony refuses?"
"Then what are you going to fight him head-on?" Cedric's tone grew grave. "I wouldn't recommend it. If Stewart goes off the rails, there's no stopping him. And this is best kept private-don't take it public, for Irwin's sake. The kid doesn't deserve to get caught in the crossfire."
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