pter 148
Chapter 148
He never left Rosita’s side, keeping watch over her–and over the promise he’d sworn to keep for a lifetime.
On the third day, Irwin began to throw a fit at Southcreek Manor,
He only had Sylvie for company now, his dad hadn’t come home in three days, and even though Irwin begged to go to the hospital to see Mom Rosita, his father wouldn’t allow it.
Irwin felt trapped–frustrated, hurt, and deep down, more afraid than anything else.
Ever since he got back from the hospital a few days ago, he’d been plagued by nightmares. Every night, he dreamed of his mom and dad cradling their new baby while he stood all alone in the corner, forgotten.
That night, the nightmares returned.
In his dream, he kept calling out for his parents, but no matter how loud he shouted, they never heard him.
He woke up with a start. The little nightlight by his bed cast a soft glow across the room, but the emptiness only made him feel more alone.
Fear crept in. Hugging the stuffed animal Briony had bought him, Irwin sobbed and sobbed, clutching it tightly until exhaustion pulled him back under.
The following morning. Sylvie prepared breakfast as usual and went upstairs to wake Irwin,
She knocked before gently pushing open the door. “Sweetheart, breakfast is ready. Time to get up-
Her words caught in her throat.
Sylvie rushed across the room, staring in disbelief at the empty bed.
“Irwin?”
She called out, panic rising in her voice, as she hurried to check the bathroom.
No one. The bathroom was empty.
Her heart pounding, Sylvie dashed out, searching the upstairs hallway.
“Irwin? Irwin, where are you?”
“Please, honey, say something! Don’t scare me like this, I’m begging you!”
She scoured every room upstairs, then raced downstairs, but there was no sign of Irwin anywhere.
Desperate, she ran to check the security cameras,
There he was–at just after six in the morning, before the sun was even up, Irwin had slipped out of his room.
He wore only his pajamas, barefoot, clutching his stuffed animal, Tears streamed down his face as he made his way downstairs.
On the footage, he wandered through the vast, empty living room, calling out “Daddy” and “Mommy” between
sobs.
His cries were loud enough to be picked up by the cameras, but Sylvie, fast asleep in the housekeeper’s quarters on the first floor, had heard nothing at all.
Finally, Irwin opened the front door by himself and disappeared outside.
When Sylvie saw this, she felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her. She collapsed, stunned and terrified.
It was over–she was done for
Chapter 148
Stewart’s phone rang at eight that morning.
By then, Irwin had already been missing for two hours.
The moment he heard that Irwin was gone, Stewart’s heart skipped a beat. His face darkened; there was no time for blame.
He immediately mobilized everyone he could to search for his son.
Meanwhile, Irwin was at the police station.
Half an hour earlier, a sanitation worker had spotted the little boy, barefoot and crying as he wandered the street. The worker called the police at once.
Officers from the nearest station arrived and brought Irwin back.
In the reception area, a young female officer draped her own coat around Irwin’s shoulders and bought him a warm breakfast.
Bundled up in the oversized coat, Irwin’s cheeks slowly regained their color as he ate, thawing out from the morning chill
Once he’d finished, he finally stopped crying and sat quietly on the chair. He looked so small and solemn, it was enough to break anyone’s heart.
The officer gently patted his head. “Hey, sweetheart, can you tell me your mom and dad’s names? We’ll help you find them, okay?”
Irwin blinked up at her with wide, tear–swollen eyes. “My dad’s name is Stewart. My mom is Briony.”
