Chapter 196
That gentle, loving mom–she was supposed to be his.
“Grown–ups‘ feelings can get really complicated.” Lauren gently ruffled Irwin’s hair, her voice full of sympathy. “So, Irwin, do you want to see your mom Bryn?”
“I do! I really do!”
Irwin’s eyes grew hot, and he swiped away his tears with his sleeve, choking out, “But Dad told me on the plane that I shouldn’t bother Mom anymore. He said if I really, really want to see her, I have to ask him first, and only if he says yes, then I can go.”
“How about this–what if we just… run into her by accident?”
“By accident?” Irwin’s eyes went wide. “Grandma, do you have a plan?”
Lauren stroked his cheek and gave a mysterious smile. “Of course I do. I’ve come up with something perfect, just for you.”
“Wow!” Irwin’s sadness vanished in an instant. He threw his arms around Lauren, hugging her tight.
“Grandma, you’re amazing! You’re the best, and you’re always so good to me. I love you so
much!”
Lauren hugged him back, smoothing his soft hair, but behind her gentle eyes lurked a hidden
malice.
Briony didn’t get home from work until six that evening.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she noticed the front door to the apartment across the hall was wide open, with movers bustling in and out.
She glanced over, but didn’t pay much attention, and unlocked her own door to head inside.
From the kitchen, Gina poked her head out, spatula in hand. “You’re back!”
“Yeah.” Briony slipped off her shoes at the entryway and wandered in. “Looks like the neighbors across the hall are moving in?”
“Yep!” Gina called back. “They just bought the place, I think–sometime in the last couple days.”
Briony set her bag on the table and leaned against the kitchen doorway. “Have you met them yet?”
“Nope!” Gina was busy stir–frying something and couldn’t leave the stove. “I made you some chicken soup–it’s in the slow cooker. Grab yourself a bowl, okay?”
“Thanks.” Briony stepped into the kitchen.
Chapter 196
The next morning, after breakfast, Briony grabbed her bag and changed her shoes. “Gina, I’m heading out!”
“Alright, have a good day!”
Briony opened the front door, but as soon as she took a step outside, the strap of her purse snapped with a loud “pop.”
The bag tumbled to the floor.
She froze in surprise.
“What happened?” Gina came out to check and saw Briony holding her broken bag. She frowned, “Did your bag break?”
“Yeah.” Briony closed the door behind her, slipped back into her house slippers, and headed to her room. “I’ll go grab another one.”
Neither of them thought much of it.
But as Briony returned with a different bag, a sudden loud crash echoed from the hallway outside–followed by a man’s cry of pain.
“What on earth was that?”
Gina hurried to open the door and peek outside.
A delivery guy was sprawled on the floor, wincing in pain.
Gina stared, startled. “Oh my goodness! Are you alright?”
“Ow, that hurt… Why is the floor out here so slippery?”
Briony appeared in the doorway and glanced down at the man, then at the hallway floor.
She frowned, about to step outside, but Gina stopped her.
“You’re pregnant, remember? Stay put–I’ll check it out.”
Briony nodded.
Careful not to slip herself, Gina stepped closer, crouched down, and ran her hand over the floor beside the delivery guy.
It came away covered in suds.
“For heaven’s sake! Who would spill soapy water all over the hallway? Someone could really get
hurt!”
Briony felt a jolt of unease at Gina’s words.
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