Chapter 15
But Irwin didn’t dare tell the truth. If Briony found out he’d eaten an entire tub of ice cream, she’d definitely end up blaming his mom!
His mother was so gentle, so loving–how could he let Briony scold her?
Afraid Briony might press him for answers, Irwin reached his arms up and said, “Mom, will you hold me?”
Briony instinctively moved to pick him up, but then paused, remembering she was pregnant now.
She ruffled Irwin’s hair. “I’m not feeling so well today. How about Daddy holds you instead?”
Irwin’s lips puckered in a pout. This was the first time Briony had ever refused to hold him.
Even when she was sick before, she would always scoop him into her arms. Did this mean Briony was upset with him?
Irwin watched Briony closely, his eyes full of worry. When he saw how pale she looked, a wave of anxiety washed over him.
“Mom, are you mad at me?” Irwin’s voice was small and pleading. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snuck the ice cream. I promise I’ll never eat ice cream again.”
Briony had always forbidden Irwin from eating sweets–especially ice cream–since he was born with asthma and a sensitive stomach. The doctor had been clear: absolutely no sweets or cold treats.
She was about to explain, but Stewart spoke up first. “Your mom isn’t mad at you.”
His tone was so certain, as if it weren’t even up for debate.
Briony’s lashes fluttered. She pressed her lips together in silence.
Irwin looked at Briony, searching her face. “Mom, you’re really not angry?”
Briony smiled gently. “Of course I’m not angry, sweetheart.”
“Then… will you stay with me today?” Irwin’s eyes reddened, his voice thick with hurt. “I don’t feel good. I want your soup.”
Briony hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”
After seeing the doctor, they learned Irwin’s throat was inflamed. The doctor prescribed some medicine and recommended a light diet, plenty of water, and rest.
Back at Southcreek Manor, Stewart carried Irwin upstairs to rest, while Briony headed to the kitchen to make
some soup.
Half an hour later, she brought the finished soup upstairs.
The door to the
kids‘ room was slightly ajar, and she heard Irwin’s little voice drift out-
“Don’t worry, Mom. The doctor said I’ll be fine after I take my medicine… It’s not your fault, okay? If you hadn’t bought me that ice cream, I wouldn’t have known how delicious it was! And those cookies and chips and lollipops were really good too. I never had so many treats before!”
Briony’s hand froze on the doorknob.
Irwin’s voice continued:
“Mom Bryn won’t be mad at me. She just worries when I’m sick. She’s downstairs making me soup right now! Your health isn’t great, so I won’t visit you for a few days–I don’t want to give you my cold… But don’t worry, Mom Bryn will take good care of me!”
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Chapter 15
Standing outside the door, Briony’s grip tightened on the tray.
Rosita had let Irwin have that much junk food?
But what stung even more was how, in just a few short days, Irwin and Rosita had become so close.
Briony knew she had no right to feel jealous, but hearing the child she’d raised call someone else “Mom” over and over–it made her heart ache.
Blood is thicker than water. No matter how much love she gave, she could never compete with real family ties.
In the end, she was always the outsider.
After finishing his call with Rosita, Irwin suddenly remembered Briony.
He called out for her in his room, but when there was no answer, he went downstairs to look.
The kitchen was empty.
Stepping back out, Irwin noticed a bowl of soup sitting on the dining table.
