Chapter 434

The next morning, Briony set out early for the Wentworth family cemetery.

The last time she'd visited, the groundskeeper had already known who she was. This time, too, he simply nodded and let her through without a word.

Carrying two large bags, Briony made her way to her son's grave.

But when she reached the spot, her heart stopped-her son's headstone was gone.

She was certain this was the right place.

She remembered it so clearly-it was right next to Grandpa Wentworth's grave.

But now, there was nothing there. No headstone. Not even a mark on the grass.

For a moment, Briony thought maybe she'd gotten it wrong.

Setting her bags down, she pulled out her phone and called Cedric Clarke.

"Dr. Clarke, I'm at the Wentworth family cemetery," she said.

Cedric sounded startled. "You're at the family cemetery?"

"Yes," Briony replied, her voice quiet. "I plan to leave Northborough soon. Before I go, I wanted to visit my son one last time, but...I can't find his headstone."

There was a pause on the other end. "Maybe you should call Stewart and ask him directly," Cedric suggested after a moment.

Briony frowned at the hesitation in his voice. "Alright."

She hung up and, with a deep breath, pulled Stewart's number out of her blocked contacts.

The phone rang several times before he finally picked up.

"Bryn," came his low, tentative voice.

"Stewart," Briony's anger simmered beneath the surface, "what happened to my son's grave?"

There was a long pause.

"Where are you right now?" Stewart asked quietly.

"I'm at the Wentworth cemetery."

Another silence. Then: "Our son isn't there."

Briony's patience snapped. Her voice shook with rage and grief. "Stewart! Our son

is gone, and you're still playing these games? Why can't you let him rest in peace?"

"Bryn, you've misunderstood," Stewart said, his voice grave. "I mean...the child buried there-it was never our son."

Briony froze.

"What are you talking about?"

"I was planning to tell you soon. I didn't expect you to go to the cemetery today."

Stewart sighed, the sound heavy. "Since you've found out, come to Sunset Ridge Villas. I'll explain everything."

Briony's grip tightened around her phone. "What does that mean? Stewart, what are you saying?"

"Bryn, our son—he's alive," Stewart said quietly. "He's alive, and he's safe." Briony's vision blurred. Her knees nearly buckled.

He's alive.

Her son is alive.

Alive-truly, miraculously alive.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Briony turned and ran down the hillside, barely aware of anything but the hope pounding in her chest.

She scrambled into her car, hands trembling as she turned the key in the ignition, and sped toward Sunset Ridge Villas.

Her knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. Twice she nearly ran a red light, but somehow, she made it there in one piece.

Slamming the brakes, she parked outside the gates and hurried inside.

The staff seemed to be expecting her. As she rushed past, they

greeted her with respectful "

"

but Briony couldn't have care!et

about formalities.

She fixed her gaze on one of the maids. "Where's Stewart?"

"He's in the study, on the second floor."

Briony didn't wait for more. She

mounted the stairs two at a timet

and strøde straight to the study flinging the door open without knocking.

Stewart stood by the window. He turned at the sound, just in time for Briony to

slap him hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed in the room, a red mark instantly blossoming on his cheek.

He didn't react in anger. Instead,

when he saw the tears streaminget

down Briony's face, something vulnerable flickered in his dark eyes.

"Bryn, don't cry. Our son-he's alright. He's really alright."

"Where is he?" Briony's voice trembled. "Stewart, where did you hide my son?"