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 spun
breathless
face had lost all its earlier defiance. Now, he just looked scared
Releasing the door, she
after her, Irwin limp in
the bedroom, Briony yanked open the top drawer
Irwin used his inhaler, his breathing gradually steadied. Nestled
gently laid him on the bed and pulled the
all, Briony didn't say a word, nor
for Irwin with quiet tenderness, something soft flickering in his deep-set
last, Briony brushed a hand over Irwin's pale cheek, then turned to
Stewart called after her.
reply, didn't look back,
hurried
the stairs, he grabbed her wrist. "There's a
a cab tonight. Just stay
out the
but now the sky
the biting wind. It was truly
"Don't worry about me.
down
want
Briony stopped, halfway down.
at him, standing at the top of the
distant, always looking down on her
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