Chapter 766

It was no longer a surprise that Stewart could cook. His culinary skills had improved by leaps and bounds during the time Briony was seriously ill. He started with simple, nourishing soups, then moved on to easy stir-fries. Now, he could whip up all sorts of noodle dishes and home-style meals with ease. At the time, they had all feared they wouldn't find a bone marrow match in time. Although they never gave up hope, in their hearts, they treated every day as if it were their last. Stewart had simply wanted to do more, to create as many memories as he could for their family of four. It was a miracle that Briony had pulled through. Those days of battling death had been dark and desperate, and even now, the memory left a dull ache in his chest.

In the kitchen, Stewart stared into the pot of boiling water, his thoughts returning to the present. He took out the noodles and dropped them in. Just as Briony came downstairs, Stewart walked out of the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of pasta. Briony sat down at the dining table.

"You eat first," Stewart said, placing the bowl in front of her.

Briony gave him a soft smile. "Thank you for this."

"You're thanking me for a bowl of pasta?" Stewart looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "When did I become so delicate in your eyes?"

Briony was speechless. She felt like he was hinting at something.

“You should eat, too,” she said, shooting him a look. “We can go for a walk after we finish to let it settle, then get to bed early."

Stewart's lips curved into a smile as he turned and went back into the kitchen. He brought out his own bowl and sat down across from her. They both ate quietly, their manners refined. After they finished, Stewart took the bowls to the kitchen, leaving them for Marlene to handle. He took Briony's hand, and they went for a walk in the back garden. The koi in the pond, each one plump and healthy, swam lazily about. After two laps around the pond, they sat down on a nearby wicker bench. The night was hazy, filled with the chirping of summer cicadas. Moonlight draped over them as he held her in his arms, their fingers intertwined.

Briony's phone vibrated. It was a call from Xenia Cooper. She paused for a second before answering. "You're with Stewart right now, aren't you?"

Briony was silent.

"If you are, just put me on speaker. It'll save me the trouble of calling you both."

Amused and exasperated, Briony pressed the speakerphone button. "Alright, Ms. Cooper. You can speak now."

"I've cleared things up with Maynard," Xenia's voice came through the phone. "Vernon is his son. He's going to pick Vernon up tomorrow for a paternity test."

Briony was stunned. “Vernon is Maynard's? What... what happened between you two?"

"I stole his sperm. Besides Naylor, no one else knew."

Briony was at a loss for words. It was shocking, but coming from Xenia Cooper... it somehow wasn't that shocking at all. It was exactly the kind of thing someone as passionate and daring as her would do. snovels

"I'm calling you because I hope you can talk to Vernon and help him understand: He'll be living with Maynard until he comes of age. As for Neonova Syndicated still like to eritrust it to Stewart, just as my will states. It will be handed over to

Vernon when he becomes an adult."

Briony and Stewart exchanged a glance. The way Xenia was talking still sounded

like she was settling her final affairs.

"So, what are your plans now?" Briony asked.

"Me?" Xenia sighed. "I want to do what I truly enjoy. Don't worry, I won't do anything drastic again. I might travel around for a bit to clear my head, and come back to see Vernon from time to time.