NovelUpdateChapter 503 Sunday evening.
The full moon hung high in the summer night sky, its glow bathing everything in cool, gentle light. A refreshing breeze swept through the gardens of Skybreeze Retreat, where the leafy courtyard seemed made for sipping tea and admiring the view.
After dinner, everyone gathered in the garden's gazebo, enjoying tea and idle conversation. Aster lay in her cradle, happily munching on her tiny fingers.
Briony and Stella Joyner sat close together, Stella fiddling with an old camcorder she'd unearthed from the attic earlier that day.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Bryn, look at this shot-remember when you were reading in the library? The sunlight cin just right and lit up your face-nature's own spotlight. I just had to snap the perfect candid!" Stella grinned, turning the camcorder's screen toward Briony.
Briony raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Looks tolike the camera's focused on the guy sitting behind me, not me. Admit it, Star, you were trying to film him." Stella scoffed, feigning outrage. "Nonsense! I was filming you, obviously." Briony bit back a laugh and nodded, playing along. "Of course, my mistake. You only had eyes for me." Across the table, Cedric Clarke glanced over, eyeing the camcorder in Stella's hands and the guilty look on her face. He grinned. "Star, mind lettinghave a look?" Stella clutched the camcorder tighter. "As if! These are my private collection. Only Bryn gets to see them. Go drink your tea!" Cedric pressed his lips together and gave a resigned sigh.
James watched, amused. "Dr. Clarke, your status in this household is as pitiful as ever." Cedric gave him a look and said nothing.
Just then, a sleek black Maybach glided up the drive and stopped. The driver's door opened, and Stewart stepped out.
James immediately stood, eager to greet his beloved goddaughter.
Briony glanced over. In the moonlight, Stewart's face looked et sharper than usual-he'd clearly lost weight. He stood by the car, dark eyes fixed on Briony.
"I picked up a few fairy tale books for Little Nina," he said softly, almost apologetically. "She loves them." It was the simple, awkward affection of a father for his daughter.
Briony nodded and rose, heading around to the other side of the Maybach.
James had already stepped forward, opening the back door and lifting Little Nina out.
"Missed your godfather, sweetheart?" he asked, grinning.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLittle Nina's voice was sweet and clear. "Of course I did! Did you miss me?" "Miss you? I could hardly eat or sleep thinking about my Little Nina," James declared tically.
"Liar." Little Nina huffed, unimpressed. "You just put your teacup down! Don't think I didn't notice!" James was left speechless.
Stewart watched his daughter banter with James, a small smilet
tugging at his lips. She wasn't easy to fool, but as a father, he found her cleverness endlessly endearing.
Cedric Clarke got up and walked over to Stewart, glancing at Briony as she reached for Little Nina on James's side. Clearing his throat, Cedric offered, "It's still early. Care to join us for stea?" Stella leapt to her feet, storming over and yanking Cedric away by the arm.
"Cedric Clarke, tto choose: your friends or your wife!"
"Con, love, don't be like that.
m He's Little Nina's father we're all friends here," Cedric pleaded. "No way! I'm not playing nice with him," Stella snapped, hands on bot tI see him, I get bewart. Every hips as she glared at
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