Briony looked at Stewart, his words stinging so sharply that her eyes filled with tears even as she forced a bitter smile.
“Stewart, your son has a mother. Her name is Rosita–not me, not Briony! And if you think I’m emotionally unstable and unfit to be a mother, fine! I’ll admit it. I, Briony, am not worthy of being Irwin’s mom. So now, please take your son and get out of my house!”
She got it all out in one breath, but the rush left her dizzy and lightheaded. Her slender frame swayed unsteadily.
James hurried to catch her before she could fall, leaning in to murmur softly in her ear, “Are you alright?”
Briony took a deep breath, her blurred vision slowly clearing. She shook her head, managing a faint, “I’m okay.”
Stewart watched their exchange, his jaw clenched and eyes icy.
Meanwhile, Irwin simply stared at Briony, lips parted, too stunned to even cry.
What had Mom just said?
Did she really…not want him anymore?
A wave of panic washed over Irwin. He clung tighter to Stewart’s neck, voice trembling. “Dad, Mom didn’t mean it, right? She’s my mom–she wouldn’t really leave me, would she?”
His words came out between choked sobs, all the defiance gone, leaving only small, wounded innocence.
Stewart’s heart softened; he ruffled Irwin’s hair. “Your mom’s just upset right now. We need to give her some space.”
“But…” Irwin sniffled, his voice thick with tears. “Even when Mom was sad before, she never yelled at me. I think… She only stopped loving me because she has a new boyfriend.”
As he spoke, Irwin shot a glare at James.
James: “…?”
Seriously? How can a kid this young have so much drama?
James couldn’t help but burst out laughing, half exasperated, half amused.
Not one to let anyone get the better of him–even a kid–James raised an eyebrow at Irwin. “You know, you’re not completely wrong, little man. Bryn really does love me most right now!”
Irwin’s wet eyes grew huge. He shrieked, voice cracking with outrage, “Liar! You’re awful! She doesn’t love you! My mom loves me and my dad the most!”
“Oh? That’s just what you think,” James replied with a crooked smile. “Doesn’t count unless she says it herself.” That was the last straw. Irwin burst into tears, wailing that Briony couldn’t possibly love James, begging her not to be with him.
Briony had never seen Irwin throw a tantrum like this before. But she was done trying to play the part of a caring stepmother, done trying to guide or comfort him.
She fixed Stewart with a cool, steady gaze. “I don’t want to argue in front of Irwin, but you need to remember–once he’s calmed down, you owe him an honest explanation about where things stand between
us.”
Stewart narrowed his eyes at her, his voice low. “Where things stand? We’re still married, Briony. Until the divorce is finalized, you’re still Mrs. Wentworth, still Irwin’s legal mother.”
“The month is almost up.” Briony’s tone was unwavering. “If the papers aren’t signed by then, I’ll file for divorce
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Chapter 108
myself.”
Stewart glared at her, his eyes dark and cold. “You’re in quite a rush, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.” Briony met his gaze without blinking. “So I suggest Attorney Wentworth shows a little of that famous efficiency.”
At that, Stewart’s mouth pressed into a thin, hard line.
Their eyes locked, neither willing to back down.
