Chapter 60

Briony listened to Irwin's sharp words, feeling nothing but numbness inside.

Maybe it was for the best. She wasn't Irwin's mother, after all. Maybe it was time to let things go back to how they should be.

She would step out of Stewart and Irwin's lives for good, and let everything return to its proper course.

Without another glance back, Briony turned and walked straight for the door.

"Briony "

A sudden fit of coughing cut through the silence.

Stewart's face changed instantly. "Irwin?"

Irwin was gasping for breath, clutching his chest as he began to collapse.

"Irwin!" Stewart scooped him into his arms, turning desperately to Briony. "He's having an asthma attack!"

Briony's hand froze on the doorknob.

"Mom... cough... Mom..." Even as Stewart held him, Irwin's pale face was contorted in pain. Despite everything, he instinctively reached out a trembling hand toward Briony, pleading, "Mom, I can't breathe... cough..."

Briony's grip on the doorknob tightened.

She squeezed her eyes shut, telling herself not to give in. Stewart was here—he'd make sure Irwin was alright...

"Where's Irwin's inhaler?!"

then

the breathless boy, his

lost all its earlier defiance. Now, he just looked

Releasing the

after her, Irwin

bedroom, Briony yanked open the top drawer

Irwin used his inhaler, his breathing gradually steadied. Nestled in Briony's arms,

bed

didn't say a word, nor

nearby, watching as she cared for Irwin with

brushed a hand over Irwin's

Stewart called after her.

didn't look back, just

frowned and hurried

stairs, he grabbed her wrist. "There's a blizzard out there. No

get a cab tonight. Just stay here, at least for

glanced out the

that morning, but now the

through the biting wind. It was

grasp. "Don't worry about me. If I

started down

want to

Briony stopped, halfway down.

looked up at him, standing at the top of the stairs, still

always looking down

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