Briony didn’t look up. Instead, she picked up the paperwork and fixed her gaze on Rosita. “Tell Stewart my lawyer will be in t
Stewart stood outside the door, his sharply defined features cold and distant. “I’ll be away on business for a few days. Rosita can’t handle him alone, so I’ll have to trouble you to look after him for a bit.”
Briony wasn’t feeling well, and she had no patience for him.
“Fine. When you come back to pick him up, remember to bring the divorce papers.”
With that, she scooped Irwin into her arms and walked straight back to her office.
Stewart lingered at the doorway for a moment, watching her go.
Then he quietly closed the studio door and left.
In the break room, Briony set Irwin down and let out a heavy sigh.
“Take your jacket off and get ready for bed.”
Irwin, for once, was perfectly obedient. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. “Mom, could you hang this up for me? Thank you.”
He always had such sweet manners.
Briony smiled at him, took the jacket, and hung it on the coat rack.
They settled side by side on the bed.
Irwin wrapped his arms around Briony’s, his voice muffled. “Mom, are you mad at me for going to see that woman?”
Briony blinked in surprise, then sighed softly. She hugged him close, her voice gentle. “She’s the mother who gave birth to you. I know it’s a lot to take in, but without her, there wouldn’t be you. So don’t call her ‘that woman, okay?”
Irwin’s little knot of anxiety eased at her words.
He’d worried, when y hadn’t come home that evening, that she was angry with him for meeting his birth
mother and didn’t want him anymore.
But it turned out he’d worried for nothing.
Satisfied, Irwin closed his eyes. “Mom, I’ll always love you. No matter who gave birth to me, you’ll always be my number one.”
Briony felt her heart melt. She stroked his soft cheek.
“I know, sweetheart. And I promise you–whenever you need me, I’ll always be here.”
“You said it!” Irwin yawned. “No lying, okay? If you lie, your nose will get longer!”
Briony couldn’t help but laugh, her irritation slowly fading away.
She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll never lie to you. Goodnight, honey.” Irwin’s steady breathing was her only reply.
It was winter break, so Irwin didn’t need to go to kindergarten.
The next day, Briony’s studio took on another restoration job–high pay, but a tight deadline.
For the next two days, Irwin spent most of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever she was busy, Hannah and the other staff took turns watching him.
15:40
Chapter 9
After two years of tagging along, Irwin was well–known and well–loved around the studio.
By the third day, two in the afternoon, Briony finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of the lab
and headed for her office, texting her best friend, who worked at the OB–GYN clinic.
Briony: [Are you working this afternoon?]
Friend: [Yep! Why, what’s up?]
Briony: [Can you put my name down for an appointment? I’ll be there around 3:30.]
Friend: [?? What’s going on? Are you… pregnant?]
Briony: [Not sure. I’m about ten days late, and my stomach’s been feeling off.]
Friend: [Ten days late?! Girl, have you not heard of a pregnancy test?]
That reminded Briony of the test she’d bought and forgotten at the bottom of her bag.
She pressed her lips together with a sigh, typing: [I bought one, but got busy and forgot.]
Friend: [Unbelievable! Only you could forget something like that. Let me guess–you pulled another all–nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever drop dead in the restoration room, I wouldn’t be surprised. Go test yourself!]
Briony: [Okay, okay. I will.]
When Briony returned to her office, she found Irwin fast asleep on the couch, the little blanket that had been covering him now on the floor.
A half–finished lunch sat on the table.
She walked over, picked up the blanket, and tucked it around Irwin. She tossed the leftovers in the trash, wiped down the table, and finally collapsed onto the other sofa, wiping the sweat from her brow.
A cramp twisted in her lower abdomen, reminding her about the pregnancy test in her bag. Just as she was about to get up, Hannah walked in.
“Briony, there’s someone downstairs asking for you.”
There was a coffee shop just below the studio.
As soon as Briony walked in, she spotted Rosita in a corner booth.
Rosita, wearing oversized sunglasses, appraised Briony as she approached.
Briony wore a soft beige dress, wrapped in a pale blush wool coat, her long hair falling smoothly down her back. There was a gentle elegance about her–a delicate beauty, with fair skin and refined features. Not striking, perhaps, but serene, and something about her silence lent her an aura of quiet coolness.
Rosita stood and smiled warmly. “Ms. Kensington, please, have a seat.”
Briony didn’t sit.
She saw no reason for a private meeting.
“Ms. Lockwood, if you have something to say, let’s hear it.”
Rosita slipped off her sunglasses. “It seems you don’t much care for me, Ms. Kensington. I understand. I only found out today that Stewart lied to you as well. But he was trying to protect me. I hope you won’t blame him.”
Briony’s voice was calm, her expression unreadable, “I don’t blame anyone. Stewart and I were always in a mutual arrangement. As for Irwin–he’s your son. You carried him for nine months; you have every right to get to know him.”
15:40
Chapter 9
“You really believe that, Ms. Kensington?”
Briony’s patience was wearing thin. “Did you call me here just to ask about my feelings?”
Rosita regarded her, a little surprised. Briony was far more composed than she’d expected–a woman who could keep her cool after five years at Stewart’s side. To be honest, it would be impossible not to feel a hint of
threat.
But Rosita was back now. It was time for Briony to step aside.
Rosita retrieved a set of divorce papers from her bag and placed them on the table, sliding thern toward Briony. “Stewart’s instructions: Southcreek Manor is yours, plus an additional five million as compensation for the
past five years. If you’re satisfied, just sign.”
15:40
Chapter Tu
Chapouch about the rest of the divorce,” she said coolly.
With that, she turned to leave.
Rosita stood up, her voice gentle and edged with a hint of pleading. “Ms. Kensington, is Irwin with you?”
Briony paused mid–step, glancing back at her.
Rosita’s eyes were soft, almost desperate. “I haven’t seen Irwin in days. Would it be alright if I went upstairs to see him?”
Briony hesitated. She really didn’t want Rosita setting foot in her studio. But Irwin was Rosita’s child. Once the divorce was finalized, Briony wouldn’t even be his legal guardian anymore.
The thought twisted inside her, and she opened her mouth to reply–only to be interrupted by a tiny, eager
voice.
“Mom!”
Briony turned, just in time to see Irwin bounding toward her.
He flung himself into her arms. Out of habit, Briony caught him, ruffling his hair gently. “What are you doing down here on your
own?”
“Hannah rode the elevator with me,” Irwin explained, snuggling closer. “She only left when she saw me walk into the café.”
He clung to Briony, his small face burrowing into her shoulder. “Mom, why were you gone so long? I missed you!”
Briony couldn’t help but smile, exasperated and fond. This little boy always knew how to tug at her heart.
Their affectionate exchange didn’t go unnoticed–Rosita’s slender frame wavered, her lovely face draining of
color.
“Irwin…” Rosita’s voice trembled.
Irwin looked up, startled, and met Rosita’s wounded gaze. He froze, uncertainty flickering across his small
features.
Briony felt the tension too. She was just about to let Irwin go when footsteps sounded behind them.
“Rosita.”
Briony turned to see Stewart striding over. He was tall, dressed in a long black overcoat, his expression cold
and unreadable.
Without a word, he stepped to Rosita’s side, slipped off his coat, and draped it carefully over her head, shielding her completely.
Rosita was tucked securely into Stewart’s arms, as if nothing in the world could touch her.
Briony stared, numb, a sharp, aching pain spreading through her chest.
Leaning down, Stewart murmured softly to Rosita, “There are photographers outside.”
At his words, Rosita’s face went pale with panic. She clung to Stewart’s shirt, hiding her famous, beautiful face against his chest.
With one protective arm around her, Stewart led Rosita away.
As they passed Briony, he only said, “Take Irwin home. I’ll pick him up later.”
1/2
15:40
Chapter 10
It was an order, not a request.
Briony held Irwin close, watching through the café’s window as Stewart shielded Rosita all the way to the car.
He looked the perfect gentleman–kind, attentive, utterly devoted.
Not a single strand of Rosita’s hair was visible beneath that black coat as the car door closed behind her.
The sleek Maybach slid out of sight.
Briony looked down at the divorce papers clutched in her hand, pressing her lips together as she fought back the sting of tears.
“Mom, are you okay?” Irwin’s worried eyes searched her face.
She forced a smile, drawing a shaky breath. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”
Irwin studied her, looking for any sign she wasn’t telling the truth. When he found none, he relaxed.
Briony seemed okay, but Irwin clearly remembered how sad Rosita looked a moment ago. The thought that he might have been the reason made his heart twist with guilt.
Briony glanced at the clock–she was supposed to meet a friend for a check–up soon.
She ruffled Irwin’s hair. “Irwin, I have to run some errands. Can you wait for me at the studio?”
“No!” Irwin blurted, desperate to see Rosita. But he didn’t want Briony to know how much he worried.
His eyes darted as he came up with an excuse. “Mom, you haven’t been home in days. Dad just asked you to take me home–maybe he has something important to tell you?”
