The moment the magazine came flying at her, Briony’s eyes widened in alarm. She sprang to her feet, one hand instinctively clutching her stomach.
with a loud smack, the magazine hit the floor right by her feet
Briony frowned, shot a glance at the magazine on the carpet, then looked up at Irwin.
“Irwin, what on earth are you doing?”
Her voice trembled. She kept her hand protectively over her stomach, shaken by what had just happened. If she hadn’t reacted so quickly, that magazine would have struck her right in the belly.
Irwin’s gaze lingered on her tightly clasped hand. A surge of anxiety and jealousy twisted inside him.
Mom… is really having a baby.
“Irwin, I’m asking you a question!”
Snapped from his trance, Irwin finally met Briony’s eyes.
Her brows were drawn together in a scowl, and for the first time in his life, Irwin saw genuine anger blazing in her expression.
Mom had never looked at him this way before. Not once.
For the sake of this new baby, she was actually scolding him now…
Irwin’s nose stung. He bit his lip, trying hard to keep the tears in, his voice quivering as he tried to explain, “Mom, I saw a bug on your shirt. I was just trying to help get it off.”
A beat passed as Briony was taken aback
A bug?
Where would a bug even come from in this office..?
Irwin hung his head, trembling with barely contained sobs. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
His small shoulders shook helplessly as he wept, looking so fragile and forlorn.
Briony pressed her lips together, suddenly unsure if she’d overreacted. After all, Irwin was only five… surely he wouldn’t try to hurt her on purpose. Besides, there was no way he could know about her pregnancy.
“Irwin”
A voice called from outside the office door.
Both Briony and Irwin turned at once.
“Dad” Irwin ran straight to Stewart, latching onto his waist. “Dad, thank goodness you’re here! You’re never home, and now Mom doesn’t want me either–I was so scared being all alone!”
The child’s sobs were raw and desperate, tearing at Stewart’s heart. He knelt down, scooping Irwin into his arms. “I’m sorry, buddy. I’ve just had a lot going on these past few days. I never meant to stay away. It’s okay now, alright? I’m here”
ן”
Irwin buried his face in Stewart’s shoulder, still sniffling. “I keep having nightmares. I dream that neither you nor Mom want me anymore.”
“Just now, Mom even said she’s not my mom anymore. Dad, is it because I was bad? Is that why she do
doesn’t
Want me?”
Stewart’s face darkened as he shot Briony a look. “You really said that to him?”
Briony’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. There was still a trace of quilt in her chest, but she knew it was
Chapter 151
better to be the villain and end this toxic mother–son bond than to keep dragging it out.
com the
“I only told him the truth,” she replied, meeting Stewart’s gaze. “If you’d helped me prepare him start, he wouldn’t be this upset now.”
Stewart’s jaw clenched, his tone icy. “So desperate to cut ties with Irwin, are you worried we’re holding your Lack from moving on?”
Briony just frowned and turned away, refusing to meet his eyes again. “Think whatever you like. I’ve made myself clear. Take him and go. I don’t want either of you coming back”
Stewart’s stare hardened, his eyes almost black. “As long as we’re still married, you’re legally Irwin’s guardian You’re still responsible for him”
Briony whirled on him, disbelief written all over her face. “Stewart, you really are shameless!”
But he only gave a cold, humorless smile. “Briony, if you want a clean break and a tidy ending. I’m willing to cooperate–but only if you agree to three conditions.”
“Take your time. When you’re ready, call me.”
With that, he turned and walked out, Irwin clinging to his shoulder, giving Briony no chance to respond.
She stood rooted to the spot, listening to their footsteps fade down the hallway, and let out a bitter, incredulous laugh.
Stewart never failed to surprise her with just how low he could sink.
Fury pounded at her temples. She eased herself onto the sofa, hand cradling her stomach, closed her eyes, and tried to steady her breathing.
Sylvie had been let go. Rosita’s condition hadn’t improved, and Stewart still had to stay at the hospital to keep an eye on things.
2/2
