Chapter 97

It was just past 1 a.m. on the first day of the new year when Irwin was rushed into the emergency room.

The attending physician examined his injuries, his brows furrowing with concern. "The wound's pretty deep," he said gravely. "It might've reached the bone."

Briony stood outside the ER, watching Stewart pace back and forth, his phone pressed tightly to his ear. The fear and anxiety written all over his face were impossible to miss.

She never imagined things would spiral out of control like this.

Though Briony had her share of resentment, she'd never once intended for Irwin to get hurt.

She'd cared for him for five years. Colds and sniffles happened often enough, but tumbles and scrapes were rare. This was by far the worst injury he'd suffered since he was born, and Briony couldn't pretend she didn't care.

After all, she'd raised this boy with her own hands; he'd called her "Mom" for five years. And now, because of a single argument, he was lying in the ER, fighting for his life...

No matter what mistakes Rosita and Stewart had made, Irwin was just a child-an innocent bystander.

Briony pressed a trembling hand to her lower abdomen, her chest tightening with guilt.

She couldn't bring herself to harden her heart toward Irwin-yet when it came to her own children, she'd always been cold and ruthless.

it seemed as if she'd done

Irwin was innocent, then what about

just

crashed over her, so sharp she had to close her eyes to

was gone, and soon, these two children would be taken from

in this world with no one-utterly

away, moving slowly, and suddenly felt her wrist caught in

was low and cold, edged

frowned, turning to meet his accusing gaze. Her own expression was cool, her

because of you.

leave-not yet. At the very least, she would wait until Irwin was out of danger. She was just exhausted

she didn't bother explaining herself to Stewart. There was no

eyes. Without glancing back, Briony walked

how thinly she was dressed and, after a moment's hesitation, took off his coat and approached

she could react, the heavy black overcoat, still

up to shrug it off, but Stewart, clearly anticipating her move, gently pressed her shoulders. "No need to punish yourself just because

She froze.

rang out as she

Rosita, catching her just as she stumbled. He looked up at the man

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