Chapter 16
”
“Mom?”
Irwin refused to give up. He ran into the living room, calling out for her.
“Mom? Mom!”
He searched every corner, but Briony was nowhere to be found.
Only then did Irwin realize–Briony had left.
For the first time ever, Briony had walked out on him without a word.
Frustration welled up in Irwin. He grabbed all the toys Briony had bought him from the sofa and hurled them to the floor.
Upstairs in his study, Stewart heard the commotion and came down to check.
The living room was a disaster zone. In the chaos, the divorce papers got knocked under the sofa as well.
Stewart frowned and glanced toward the kitchen. “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s not my mom!” Irwin shouted back, voice trembling with anger. “What kind of mom just leaves her kid alone when he’s sick? I can’t stand her! I don’t want her for a mom anymore!”
Stewart paused, caught off guard. “She left?”
“Yes!” Irwin’s outburst faded and hurt flooded his face. Suddenly, he burst into tears.
“She’s awful! She doesn’t want me anymore, does she? Even after I got my pretty, gentle new mom, I never said I didn’t want her. How could she do this to me… She’s terrible! She’s mean!”
Stewart walked over and ruffled Irwin’s hair with his big hand. “Even if you’re upset, you shouldn’t call people names.”
“But why…” Irwin wrapped his arms around Stewart, his small body shaking with sobs. “It’s like she doesn’t love me the way she used to! Dad, is it because I have a new mom now? Is Mom Bryn going to leave me too?”
Stewart sat down with him on the sofa, pulling a few tissues from the box to gently wipe away his tears.
“Mom Bryn’s just been really busy lately. Even though you’ve reconnected with Mom Rosita, she’ll love you just as much as before.”
Irwin sniffled. “Really?”
“Dad never lies.”
Irwin clung to his father’s words, and the knot of anxiety and hurt in his chest slowly began to unravel.
Still, he longed for Briony’s care.
He was sick and couldn’t eat much, but the soup Briony made always tasted so good and comforting. He wanted her to make it for him every day.
“Dad, I still really miss Mom Bryn.”
Stewart thought for a moment, then said, “If you finish your soup like a good boy, I’ll take you to see her.”
Hearing that, Irwin’s eyes lit up. “Really? Okay!”
After leaving Southcreek Manor, Briony went straight back to her studio.
In three days, her mother would finally be released from prison.
And in just over a week, it would be Christmas Eve.
1/2
15:41
Chapter 16
Briony had already stocked their new home with everything they’d need. She’d even arranged for a cleaning service to come tomorrow and tidy the place up.
She still had one artifact restoration to deliver the next day for a client.
Her plan had been to finish this one last commission and then close the studio for the holidays. This year, she wanted to spend Christmas with her mother at Sunwave Bay.
But now… she was pregnant.
Briony rested her hand on her stomach, a tangle of emotions churning inside her.
She hadn’t decided what to do about the baby yet.
What would Stewart say if he found out she was pregnant?
He was so good to Irwin–would he be the same way with her child?
The more Briony dwelled on it, the more foolish she felt.
Stewart cared for Irwin because of Rosita. Anyone could see it–he was just being kind to the child of the woman he loved.
Briony pressed her hands over her face in anguish.
Wake up, she told herself. Stop dreaming, and stop setting yourself up for disappointment.
Knock, knock-
Someone rapped on her office door.
Briony looked up, pulling herself together. “Come in.”
Hannah pushed the door open. “Briony, Irwin’s here.”
Briony frowned. “He’s still sick–what’s he doing here?”
“Attorney Wentworth dropped him off at the front door and asked me to bring him in.”
Even as Hannah finished, Irwin came in, clutching his cartoon backpack.
“Mom!”
Briony walked over, touching his forehead gently. “Where’s your dad?”
“Dad’s busy with work and couldn’t watch me. I missed you, Mom.” Irwin looked up at her, eyes pleading.
