In a place like this–a high–end restaurant–reputation is everything.
So when Irwin started wailing, it immediately drew uncomfortable glances from other diners. The manager hurried over, trying to salvage the situation. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we have other distinguished guests in the dining room. Could you please calm your child? We wouldn’t want to disturb anyone’s meal.”
“That’s a misunderstanding!” James interjected, gesturing toward Rosita, who was sitting not far away. “He’s got the wrong woman–that’s the kid’s real mother.”
The manager turned, following James’s gaze to Rosita.
“Ms. Rosita, the actress?” The manager shook his head, incredulous. “Sir, please don’t make jokes. The child may have come in with Ms. Rosita, but he always calls her ‘Ms. Rosita. Meanwhile, the minute he saw your friend here, he started shouting ‘Mom.‘ Isn’t it obvious who the real mother is?”
James blinked, momentarily thrown. Wait–a kid who won’t call Rosita “Mom” in public? Now that was interesting.
He shot Briony a look, one eyebrow raised. “So she’s brave enough to have a kid, but not to claim him? What do you think–if I made a fake profile online and spilled the truth, would her whole image just collapse overnight?” Briony glanced over at Rosita.
Rosita didn’t move a muscle, making it clear she had no intention of coming over to claim Irwin.
Briony wasn’t surprised. Over the years, Rosita had carefully crafted her image in the film industry as “America’s Sweetheart,” the pure, untouchable goddess. There was no way she’d let her fans know she’d had a baby out of wedlock five years ago.
After her last relationship went public, her male fans had a collective meltdown–droves of them unfollowed her instantly, and she lost nearly ten million followers on Facebook. Since then, Rosita had avoided mentioning anything remotely related to romance on social media or in interviews. She couldn’t risk another blow to her career.
Clearly, Rosita’s work meant everything to her.
Briony, for her part, didn’t think there was anything wrong with
woman loving her career. But life is all about
choices and consequences. Rosita wanted her career and her child, but she wasn’t willing to take the slightest risk. When had life ever been that convenient?
The more Briony thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
If Stewart loved Rosita enough to cover for her, that was his business. But why should Briony be the one to pay for Rosita’s selfishness?
“Mom!”
Catching Briony off guard, Irwin suddenly flung himself at her, arms wrapped tight around her waist. “Mom, please don’t send me away. I missed you. I missed you so much…” he sobbed, burying his face against her stomach, his little hands clutching her shirt as if terrified she might push him away again.
Briony stood perfectly still, letting him hold on. In just a month, Irwin seemed to have grown taller.
His anguished cries tugged at her heart. She’d raised him for five years–she’d never once let him cry like this. But everything was different now.
Briony’s heart ached, but her mind reminded her not to give in. She kept her voice cool and even. “Irwin, crying won’t solve anything.”
Irwin looked up at her, eyes brimming with tears. “If I stop crying, will you promise not to send me away?”
1/2
Chapter 121
Briony pressed her lips together, her expression unchanged.
When she didn’t answer, Irwin quickly added, “I promise I’ll be good. I won’t throw tantrums at you anymore…”
He hiccuped and tried to keep from sobbing out loud. The sight was enough to soften even James’s heart, and he’d never been fond of kids.
“Poor little guy. Come on, quit crying. I’ll take you to your mom, okay?” James reached out to take Irwin by the
arm.
“No! I want to stay with my mom!” Irwin clung even tighter to Briony, his voice hoarse and desperate. “I want to go home with my mom today!”
James couldn’t help but let out a frustrated laugh. “Kid, I already told you–your mom is Rosita! What don’t you get?”
