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!"

ruffled Irwin's hair with his big hand. "Even

Stewart, his small body shaking with sobs. "It's like she doesn't love me the way she used to! Dad, is it because I have a new mom now? Is Mom Bryn

on the sofa, pulling a few tissues from the box to gently wipe away his

been really busy lately. Even though you've reconnected

Irwin sniffled. "Really?"

"Dad never lies."

the knot of anxiety

he longed for

Briony made always tasted so good and comforting. He

still really miss Mom

a moment, then said, "If you finish your soup like a good boy, I'll take you to

eyes lit up.

Briony went straight

mother would finally be released

just over a week, it would

they'd need. She'd even arranged for a cleaning service to come tomorrow and tidy

one artifact restoration to deliver the next

plan had been to finish this one last commission and then close

wanted to spend Christmas with her

now... she

rested her hand on her stomach,

what to do about

say if he found

good to Irwin-would he be

on it, the more foolish

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