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.
froze on the last step, her knuckles white
over at Briony. "Mommy, Daddy's taking me out to play. Do you want to come with
glanced at Irwin, then let her gaze settle
today. His deep-set
Stewart looked at her,
few days," he said, his voice low and pleasant— but every word edged with
was shutting
listened, a faint, bitter smile curving her lips, her eyes
It felt ironic.
bathroom, she'd
grew anxious as
mentioning errands at the café earlier; he'd only asked if she wanted to come
what if she agreed?
was supposed to go find
his voice small
meeting Irwin's worried
the look in her son's eyes. She just answered
to see Rosita.
let out a sigh of
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