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.
home that evening, that she was angry
out he'd worried
closed his eyes. "Mom, I'll always love you. No matter who gave birth to me, you'll always be my number
melt. She stroked his soft
promise you whenever
yawned. "No lying, okay? If you lie, your nose will get
but laugh, her
down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I'll never lie to
steady breathing was
Irwin
day, Briony's studio took on another restoration job-high pay, but
next two days, Irwin spent most of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever she was
Irwin was well-known and well-loved around the
restoration work. She stepped out of the
[Are you working this
Why,
my name down for an
going on?
[Not sure. I'm about ten days late, and my stomach's
Girl, have you not heard of a
bought and forgotten at the bottom
her lips together with a sigh, typing: [I bought one, but got
pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever drop dead in the restoration
okay.
her office, she found Irwin fast asleep on the couch, the little blanket that
half-finished lunch sat on the
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