Chapter 9

Stewart stood outside the door, his sharply defined features cold and distant. "I'll be away on business for a few days. Rosita can't handle him alone, so I'll have to trouble you to look after him for a bit."

Briony wasn't feeling well, and she had no patience for him.

"Fine. When you come back to pick him up, remember to bring the divorce papers."

With that, she scooped Irwin into her arms and walked straight back to her office.

Stewart lingered at the doorway for a moment, watching her go.

Then he quietly closed the studio door and left.

In the break room, Briony set Irwin down and let out a heavy sigh.

"Take your jacket off and get ready for bed."

Irwin, for once, was perfectly obedient. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. "Mom, could you hang this up for me? Thank you."

He always had such sweet manners.

Briony smiled at him, took the jacket, and hung it on the coat rack.

They settled side by side on the bed.

Irwin wrapped his arms around Briony's, his voice muffled. "Mom, are you mad at me for going to see that woman?"

Briony blinked in surprise, then sighed softly. She hugged him close, her voice gentle. "She's the mother who gave birth to you. I know it's a lot to take in, but without her, there wouldn't be you. So don't call her 'that woman,' okay?"

Irwin's little knot of anxiety eased at her words.

angry with him for meeting his

out he'd worried for

I'll always love you. No matter who

heart melt. She stroked his soft

And I promise you whenever

said it!" Irwin yawned. "No lying, okay? If

help but laugh, her irritation

and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

was her only

winter break, so Irwin didn't need to go

studio took on another restoration job-high pay, but a

the next two days, Irwin spent most of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever she was busy, Hannah and the other staff took turns watching

Irwin was

her restoration work. She stepped out of the lab and headed for her office, texting

[Are you

Why, what's

you put my name down for

What's going on? Are you...

sure. I'm about ten days late,

days late?! Girl, have you not heard of a

of the test she'd bought and forgotten

lips together with a sigh, typing: [I bought one, but got busy and

[Unbelievable! Only you could forget something like that. Let me guess- you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever drop dead in

[Okay, okay.

Briony returned to her office, she found Irwin fast asleep on the couch, the little

half-finished lunch sat on the

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