Chapter 5

This child had always been frail-born with asthma, no less-and the one thing he couldn't handle was getting worked up from crying.

After all, she'd raised him single-handedly since he was a baby. No matter what, Briony just couldn't bring herself to abandon him.

"Irwin, sweetheart, I'm not leaving you, okay? Please, don't cry."

All Briony wanted was to calm Irwin down first.

But Fiona, standing nearby, heard this and twisted it to her own ends.

"Briony, do you have any shame? Irwin isn't even your own child! How dare you say something like that?"

Fiona, who always carried herself with the air of a high-society matriarch, didn't bother to hide her contempt for Briony. Her voice was sharp, dripping with venom.

"No wonder Irwin's never warmed up to me all these years. He's devoted to you, calls you 'Mom,' and now I see why. You've been brainwashing him behind my back, haven't you?"

The accusation was outrageous. Briony's expression hardened, despite her concern for the child.

"Mrs. Wentworth, when Stewart and I married, I didn't ask for your blessing. If you don't accept me as your daughter-in-law, fine-I won't force it. But do you really think, in front of a five-year-old, you're being a good example? So tell me: am I the disrespectful one, or are you just abusing your age and status?"

stunned by Briony's open defiance, her face flushing with anger. "Are

I divorce is between us. Irwin can stay here with you if you like. I won't fight you

behind, Irwin clung to Briony even harder, sobbing louder. "Mom, don't leave me! I don't like Grandma's

was already

looked after Irwin for five years and had never

to listen to reason right

hand and started for

fast as they could, terrified she'd leave him behind if he

voice called after them—Rosita, rushing out in a

Rosita caught Irwin by the

I had my reasons back then. I love you,

me go, you're a bad lady!" Irwin tried to wrench his arm free, but Rosita just gripped him tighter, her nails

little arm hurt

Mommy, help me! She's trying to

looked at Rosita, who wouldn't let go, her

away, she shifted her desperate gaze to

streamed down Rosita's beautiful face, making her look heartbreakingly

for nine months and nearly died giving birth to. I know you've raised him these past five years, and I'm grateful. But he's not a pawn for you to tie

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