15.11
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
A faint sound of running water echoed through the phone.
Briony’s breath hitched, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Irwin’s fever still hasn’t broken. The tests say he has acute bronchitis and pneumonia–he needs to be admitted for IV treatment.”
Rosita’s voice instantly tightened with worry. “How could this happen? Wasn’t he perfectly fine when Stewart dropped him off this morning?”
The accusatory tone made Briony’s brow furrow. “Ms. Lockwood, I have to remind you–Irwin’s health is fragile. He has a long list of dietary restrictions.”
With that, Briony ended the call.
She clenched her phone and glanced at Irwin, who lay on the hospital bed, sweating and restless even as he slept. A burning frustration twisted in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
A nurse came in and started Irwin’s IV.
After about fifteen minutes, Irwin began to sweat, and his fever finally started to subside.
Just then, the door to the room swung open.
Stewart and Rosita hurried inside.
“Irwin!”
Rosita rushed to the bedside, tears streaming as she saw her son sleeping, hooked up to the drip.
She caressed his cheek and called gently, “Irwin?”
He blinked groggily awake, and when he saw Rosita, he murmured, “Mom…”
“I’m right here!” Rosita stroked his face, voice thick with emotion. “Don’t be afraid, sweetheart. I’m right here with you.”
“Mom, don’t go…”
”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Rosita’s tears came harder, her love and worry for Irwin moving everyone in the room. Irwin’s eyes fluttered closed, and he slipped back into sleep.
Rosita sobbed uncontrollably, as if Irwin had fallen gravely ill.
Stewart stepped over, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her. “Irwin’s just resting. Try not
to worry.”
Rosita took the handkerchief and, without a word, buried herself in Stewart’s arms. “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t had such a difficult labor, Irwin wouldn’t be so weak now. I’ve ruined his health…
“Don’t say things like that.” Stewart wrapped one strong arm around her shoulders, patting her gently. “Irwin would be upset if he heard you.”
While Rosita wept, Stewart murmured soothing words, comforting her the whole time.
Briony stood silently at the foot of the bed, watching everything unfold. Pain pricked at her chest, sharp and relentless, but her face remained expressionless.
She realized she had no reason to stay any longer.
Without a word, Briony slipped out of the room. As she turned the corner, she nearly collided with Fiona, who was striding down the hallway with a maid in tow.
Briony instinctively stepped aside, but before she could react, Fiona raised her hand and slapped her across the face.
15.41 M
Chapter 18
The crack echoed down the corridor.
Briony’s head snapped to the side, a metallic taste flooding her mouth.
“I knew it–stepmothers are never as good as real mothers! If anything happens to Irwin, you’ll be the one to
answer for it!”
Briony pressed a hand to her cheek, stunned and furious, glaring at Fiona.
The commotion drew Stewart and Rosita out of the hospital room.
Stewart looked from Briony to his mother, frowning. “Mom, what are you doing?”
“What am I doing?” Fiona scoffed. “I’m teaching this woman a lesson for Irwin’s sake! If Director Lockwood hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t even have known Irwin was rushed to the ER tonight because of her!”
Director Lockwood was the eldest son of the Lockwood family–and Rosita’s brother.
