Lauren was instantly wracked with guilt.
That morning, Irwin had shattered a glass. Lauren had been on the phone with Helga at the time. She’d heard the sound of breaking glass, but hadn’t thought much of it–until Irwin’s piercing cries sent her running, heart pounding, as she fumbled to end the call.
By then, it was too late. Irwin had already cut himself.
A deep, long gash ran across his palm, blood welling up and trickling down his small hand.
The commotion quickly brought Stewart to the scene.
“Stewart, I’m so sorry. It was my fault–I wasn’t watching Irwin. I let him get hurt.” Lauren’s face was flushed with remorse, her voice trembling dangerously close to tears.
Seeing this, Rosita hurried to add, “Mom was just caught up in her phone call. She never wanted Irwin to get hurt. It’s my fault too–if I hadn’t been lying down, feeling sick, maybe I could’ve kept an eye on him.”
Stewart didn’t respond to Rosita’s attempt at comfort.
In the past, if he’d seen Rosita so upset and self–blaming, he would have tried to reassure her. But today, his disappointment over Irwin’s injury overshadowed even the smallest hint of kindness.
He looked right at Rosita, his gaze icy and unreadable. “The medicine Quentin found for you worked well. You seem healthy now.”
Rosita blinked in surprise.
“The only reason we rushed the wedding was because you were so ill–we wanted you to have no regrets. But now you’re better. The wedding can wait.”
Rosita stared at him, incredulous. “But… the engagement’s already been announced-”
“We’ll handle it with PR.”
Stewart’s tone brooked no argument. Rosita shrank beneath his stern gaze, barely managing to ask, “Then… how long will we postpone it?”
“As things stand, there’s no need to rush into a wedding.” His words were cold, final.
“So you’re saying…” Rosita’s voice trembled, tears brimming in her eyes. “You want to put the wedding off indefinitely?”
“Right now, Irwin’s well–being is the only thing that matters.” Stewart’s dark eyes were sharp, appraising. “Rosita, Irwin is your son. Don’t you want what’s best for him?”
Rosita froze.
“Of course I do,” she whispered, her gaze dropping. “But I lost my memory… There’s so much I can’t remember. I just don’t understand–what does postponing the wedding have to do with Irwin’s happiness?”
Stewart’s eyes were cold as he held her gaze.
“Irwin’s been struggling ever since Briony left. She was the one who raised him. In his mind, when Briony left, he lost his mother. He’s having a hard time accepting that I’m divorcing her.”
“But I’m his biological mother,” Rosita protested, looking up at him as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I know I’ve let him down. But I’m here now, aren’t I? I want to make up for those missing five years. Just because I wasn’t there at the start… does that mean I have to lose my son forever?”
“Irwin’s only five.”
Stewart’s expression grew even more severe. “He’s just a child. He can’t be expected to understand all this.
1/2
19:43
Chapter zzu
Since Briony left, he’s been having nightmares. Didn’t you notice?”
Rosita stared at him, stunned.
“Rosita,” Stewart said, disappointment flickering in his eyes, “it’s obvious you had no idea. When Briony was here, Irwin was happy, well–adjusted–he never had nightmares.”
Rosita’s voice sharpened, defiant. “Whatever Briony could do, I can do too!”
Stewart’s lips curled into a mirthless smile. “No, you can’t.”
She froze, hurt.
“What Briony did for Irwin… no one else can replace.” Stewart paused, then continued, “For me, what matters most is that Irwin is with whoever can give him the best life.”
Rosita dug her nails into her palm.
She’d always known how much Irwin meant to Stewart.
Once, she’d believed Irwin was her greatest advantage.
But now, seeing how Stewart put Irwin above all else–even above her, his own child’s mother–she finally understood: in Stewart’s eyes, she was just a supporting role in Irwin’s life.
The realization hit her like a splash of cold water: Stewart’s devotion to Irwin went far beyond what most fathers felt.
He saw Irwin as the embodiment of Randolph Driscoll–a way to redeem himself for past mistakes. It was an almost obsessive need for atonement.
The thought sent a chill racing down Rosita’s spine.
If Stewart placed Irwin at the very center of his world, what would happen if he ever discovered the truth… Rosita’s breath caught. She didn’t dare finish the thought.
Before leaving, Stewart threw a final, steely glance at Lauren.
That look made Lauren’s skin crawl.
Not until the sound of his car faded did Rosita finally break down, burying her face in her hands as sobs wracked her frame.
“Stewart must be in love with Briony!” she cried.
Lauren rushed to comfort her, “Don’t say that. He’s just… upset that we didn’t take better care of Irwin, that’s all.”
“It’s my fault…” Rosita wept. “I let Stewart down. In the five years I was gone, Stewart and Irwin both became attached to Briony. Mom, I feel like I’ve lost them both…”
“No!” There was a dangerous glint in Lauren’s eyes. “I won’t let anyone threaten your marriage. You and Stewart will be together–no matter what!”
After settling Rosita back in her room, Lauren returned to her own. She closed the door, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.
“Do you still have any of those energy stones you mentioned last time?… Good, I’ll take one. I’m coming to pick it up right now.”
C
