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.

worried, when Briony hadn't come home that evening, that she was angry with him for meeting his birth

turned out he'd worried

you. No matter who gave birth to me, you'll always be

her heart melt. She stroked his soft

I promise you whenever you need me, I'll

okay?

laugh, her

and pressed a kiss to his forehead.

steady breathing was her

was winter break, so Irwin

next day, Briony's studio took on another restoration job-high

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

tagging along, Irwin was

She stepped out of the lab and headed for her office, texting her best friend, who worked

you

Why,

name down for an appointment? I'll be there around

What's going

ten days late, and my stomach's

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

Briony of the test she'd bought and forgotten at the

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

pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever drop dead in the restoration room, I wouldn't

[Okay, okay.

her office, she found Irwin fast asleep on the couch, the

lunch sat on the

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