Chapter 16

"Mom?"

Irwin refused to give up. He ran into the living room, calling out for her.

"Mom? Mom!"

He searched every corner, but Briony was nowhere to be found.

Only then did Irwin realize-Briony had left.

For the first time ever, Briony had walked out on him without a word.

Frustration welled up in Irwin. He grabbed all the toys Briony had bought him from the sofa and hurled them to the floor.

Upstairs in his study, Stewart heard the commotion and came down to check.

The living room was a disaster zone. In the chaos, the divorce papers got knocked under the sofa as well.

Stewart frowned and glanced toward the kitchen. "Where's your mom?"

"She's not my mom!" Irwin shouted back, voice trembling with anger. "What kind of mom just leaves her kid alone when he's sick? I can't stand her! I don't want her for a mom anymore!"

Stewart paused, caught off guard. "She left?"

"Yes!" Irwin's outburst faded and hurt flooded his face. Suddenly, he burst into tears.

"She's awful! She doesn't want me anymore, does she? Even after I got my pretty, gentle new mom, I never said I didn't want her. How could she do this to me... She's terrible! She's mean!"

Irwin's hair with his big hand. "Even if you're upset,

love me the way she used

sat down with him on the sofa, pulling a few tissues from the box to gently wipe

lately. Even though you've reconnected with Mom Rosita, she'll love

Irwin sniffled. "Really?"

"Dad never lies."

words, and the knot of anxiety and hurt in his chest slowly began to

he longed

soup Briony made always tasted so good and comforting. He wanted her to make it for him

really miss Mom

finish your soup like a good

eyes lit up. "Really?

Briony went straight back to

mother would finally be released from

week, it would be

already stocked their new home with everything they'd need. She'd even arranged for a cleaning service to come tomorrow and

one artifact restoration to

finish this one

wanted to spend Christmas with

she was

her hand on her stomach, a tangle of emotions churning

hadn't decided what to do

he

Irwin-would he be the

on it,

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