NovelEnglishChapter 447 "Lorna?" Briony's brows drew together as she walked over, her gaze sweeping up and down the woman standing before her.
Lorna was tall, dressed in a sleek black dress with a modern cut. Her long hair was loosely pinned up, giving her an effortless elegance. Though her features weren't particularly striking, her porcelain skin stood out, and there was an undeniable strength in her presence.
Briony met Lorna's eyes for a moment before speaking in a cool, measured tone. "Ms. Riley, I'm sorry, but I don't know you. As Mario's mother, I can't just hand over my child to a stranger based solely on your word." Lorna offered a faint smile. "I understand." She pulled out her phone and dialed Stewart's number, putting it on speaker for everyone to hear. The phone rang only twice before a man's deep voice answered.
"Did you pick up Mario?" "Stewart, there's a bit of an issue," Lorna replied calmly. "Ms. Kensington and her family don't feel comfortable with me, so I'd appreciate it if you could explain things to her yourself." "Of course. Put her on." Lorna handed the phone to Briony.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBriony glanced down at the phone, her voice tight with irritation. "Stewart, what is this supposed to mean?" "I asked Lorna to pick Maup for me," Stewart replied, his tone casual, as if this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
But to Briony, it felt like he was trying to take her son from her-and worse, he'd sent a stranger to do it.
"One Jeannie Radcliffe wasn't enough for you, so now you send a Lorna?" Briony let out a cold laugh. "Stewart, since you have no patience for raising your son yourself, why not just lethave him back?" "Mais already registered as a Wentworth," Stewart said, his voice low and resolute. "He's the heir to the Wentworth family now. He needs to stay with us." Briony frowned. "I thought you'd already named Irwin the heir?" "Irwin and I have nothing to do with the Wentworths anymore." Stewart's voice was even, but there was a steeliness beneath it. "Now Mabears my name. He's my only son, and the sole heir to the family." "So you want him only because the family needs an heir, is that it?" On the other end of the line, Stewart sighed softly.
"Bryn, that's not fair. We're divorced. Two children-each of us raising one-that's as fair as it gets." He paused, then continued, "Our daughter-she's delicate. I trust you to take care of her. But Mario...I'd like to raise him myself. I won't keep you from seeing him- whenever you want to visit, you can." Briony stared down at the phone, anger boiling behind her eyes.
She knew arguing was pointless now.
Stewart had always put his own interests above all else. Now that he'd decided Mawould be molded into the Wentworth heir, there was no way he'd leave without him.
Briony's heart ached at the thought of losing her little boy, but the truth was, she no longer had custody. Even if she took this to court, it would take time-and until then, she had no legal right to keep Mawith her. sŵA crushing sense of guilt and failure pressed down on her. She felt she'd failed as a mother. She'd brought her son into the world, only for him to beca pawn in their endless battles.
He was only four-so small, so vulnerable. Because of the adults' grudges, he'd lived his short life like a leaf tossed by the wind, never knowing a truly stable home.
The pain in her chest was sharp and relentless.
She knelt down in front of little Maand gently stroked his hair.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Mario, do you want to go stay with your dad?" The boy looked up at her, his big dark eyes blinking.
After a moment, he nodded. "Yes, I want to." Briony's breath caught. "Do you like your dad?" Matilted his head. "I like Mom more." Her heart clenched at his answer, and she pulled him into an embrace.
"I love you so much, Mario. If you don't want to live with Dad, I'll do everything I can to keep you with me." "I love Mom best," Masaid, "but I like Dad too." Briony froze for a moment.
She released him, searching his young face. "You really like your dad?" Manodded. "Dad's nice."
Briony's feelings were a tangled mess. Mawas such a sensitive 5m child. Stewart had always struggled to connect with their daughter, yet somehow, with Mario, he'd easily won the boy's affection. She didn't know how Stewart had done it, but in this moment, all she could do was respect Mario's wishes.
"If you ever miss Mom, you can callanytime. I'll cget you m X whenever you want, Briony said, brushing his cheek, her eyes glistening with tears.
No matter how much it hurt, if Mawanted to go back with Lorna and see his fathery Briony could only let him go, even as her heart broke.
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