Chapter 131
Irwin was the kind of child who tugged at your heartstrings.
Briony turned her gaze away. “Finish your dinner, then I’ll call your father to come pick you up.”
Irwin’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. “Okay! I’ll do whatever you say, Mom!”
Briony’s expression hardened. “And one more thing.” She looked directly at Irwin, her voice stern. “Stop calling me Mom.”
Irwin froze.
“No more ‘Mom‘…” His face fell, and as he saw how serious Briony looked, his head drooped. He answered in a small, muffled voice, “Okay.”
Briony looked away. “Let’s go.”
James nodded. “You go on ahead. I’ll keep an eye on this kid.”
Irwin tried to catch up to Briony, but James grabbed his arm. Irwin looked up and glared at him, his eyes rimmed red.
James couldn’t help but sigh at the pitiful sight. “Hey, kid, be good and don’t cause trouble, or I’ll toss you out on the street and let you fend for yourself!”
Irwin nodded, sulking.
James remained cautious.
As they walked, he kept a firm hold on Irwin’s hand, never letting him get too close to Briony.
In the car, he made sure Briony sat up front, while Hannah and Irwin took the back seat.
At dinner, he sat himself right between Briony and Irwin.
Irwin might have been young, but he wasn’t clueless. He knew James was deliberately keeping him away from his mother.
But he’d tried so hard to be a good boy–why did James still seem to dislike him so much?
Irwin just couldn’t figure it out.
He chewed on his spoon, tilting his head to steal glances at Briony-
“Eat your dinner and stop gawking,” James said, placing a piece of honey–glazed pork in Irwin’s bowl. “Eyes on your food.”
Irwin stared at the meat with a gloomy expression. “I don’t want pork.”
“You’ll eat what you’re given!” James huffed. “If you don’t like it, ask your Mom Rosita to make you something else when you get home!”
“You-” Irwin looked up, ready to protest, but then he remembered what Mom Rosita had told
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him. He could only glare at James, then lower his head and stuff the pork into his mouth.
Forget it! If putting up with this grumpy uncle would help Mom calm down, he’d endure it.
Once she was happy again, he wouldn’t have to put up with James anymore.
James watched Irwin out of the corner of his eye.
The boy didn’t throw a tantrum, just quietly focused on his food. That was surprising.
A few days ago, Irwin would have been in tears by now.
How had he suddenly grown up so much?
James glanced at Briony.
She’d ignored Irwin the whole time, chatting earnestly with Hannah and the others.
James pressed his lips together, took a sip of tea, then looked back at Irwin.
Irwin was just glancing up at him.
Their eyes met. Irwin blinked. “Mr. Delaney, I want some shrimp, but I don’t know how to peel them.”
James: “…”
He had to remind himself–the kid was only five. It’s not like he could really lose his temper.
Sighing, James pulled on a pair of disposable gloves and peeled three big shrimp for Irwin in
one go.
“Here. Eat up, and when you’re full, your dad can come take you home.”
“Thank you, Mr. Delaney.” Irwin flashed him a sweet smile. “But you don’t have to worry–my dad will call me when he’s done with work. I have my smartwatch with me.”
James: ” ”
He took a deep breath, lifted his teacup again, and took a long sip, savoring the flavor before commenting, “Good tea.”
…
After dinner, Hannah suggested a walk by the river.
Briony wanted to go too.
Her mother used to tell her, “Whenever you miss me, go for a walk by the river.”
On nights like this, with the holiday in the air, she couldn’t help but think of her mother.
The group left the restaurant.
Stewart still hadn’t called Irwin.
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Chapter 131
“Irwin,” Briony said quietly, “call your father.”
Irwin didn’t want to, but since Briony told him to, he reluctantly dialed Stewart’s number.
The call went through, but no one picked up.
Relieved, Irwin raised his chin and looked at Briony. “Mom-”
Briony frowned.
Seeing her expression, Irwin quickly swallowed the rest of the word and said, “Dad must still be busy.”
“What’s there to be busy about on a holiday?” James rolled his eyes. “He probably just dumped his kid on you so he could have a romantic night with Rosita!”
Honestly, it wouldn’t be the first time.
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