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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