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?!"

faltered, then

the breathless

its earlier

Briony's chest. Releasing the door, she rushed upstairs

after her, Irwin limp in

the top drawer by the bed and

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

him on the bed

Briony didn't say a word, nor did she

for Irwin with quiet tenderness, something soft flickering

Briony brushed a hand over Irwin's pale

Stewart called after her.

didn't look back,

frowned and hurried to

he grabbed her wrist. "There's

Just stay here, at least for

glanced out the

but now the sky was heavy and

wind.

her wrist free of his grasp. "Don't worry about me. If I managed to get here,

started down

he'll want

Briony stopped, halfway down.

standing at the top

distant, always looking down on her

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