Chapter 12
The sound of a car drifted in from the driveway.
Stewart was home.
Briony gripped the pregnancy test in her hand as she opened the bathroom door.
Downstairs, Irwin's excited voice rang out.
"Daddy!"
Briony made her way down the stairs, step by deliberate step.
Irwin stood on the couch, arms stretched wide toward Stewart. "Daddy, pick me up!"
Stewart bent down and scooped Irwin into his arms.
Briony noticed at once that Stewart had changed his clothes.
Then she remembered the three unanswered calls earlier...
The cruel truth was impossible to ignore.
the last step, her knuckles
"Mommy, Daddy's taking me out to play. Do you want
Irwin, then let her gaze settle on
His deep-set eyes betrayed nothing, not
last, Stewart looked at her, his expression as distant as
voice low and pleasant— but every word edged with detachment. "I'll
shutting her
a faint, bitter smile
It felt ironic.
she'd been overwhelmed
anxious as
her mentioning errands at the café earlier; he'd only asked if she wanted to come because he was sure
she agreed? Then what would
to go
called, his voice small
shifted, meeting
mess-she couldn't even begin to untangle the look in her son's eyes. She just answered softly, "Mommy's
knew, deep down, Stewart was probably taking Irwin to see Rosita. But suddenly, she found she just didn't care
out a sigh
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