Irwin’s eyes brimmed with tears again as he listened.
“Irwin.”
Stewart beckoned him over. “Come here, son.”
Sniffling, Irwin walked up to Stewart. “Dad?”
Stewart ruffled his hair gently. “Do you remember what I told you before?”
Irwin nodded.
His father had explained that, from now on, whenever he saw his mother, he should call her “Miss” instead. That way, she wouldn’t get upset.
But it felt so strange to call her that! It just didn’t feel right–he couldn’t get the word out of his mouth.
Stewart could see Irwin was still resisting the change.
“Why don’t you go inside for now?”
Irwin nodded again, his head drooping, and turned to walk back into the house.
“He just needs some time,” Stewart said to Briony, turning to her. “Could you give him a little more time?”
Briony was tired of hearing that excuse.
It didn’t matter, anyway. She’d be leaving Northborough in a few days, and after that, she’d probably never see Stewart or Irwin again.
Whether Irwin adjusted or not was no longer her concern.
“I’ll be leaving at exactly five this afternoon,” Briony replied coldly.
“The nanny’s inside,” Stewart said.
Without another word, Briony stepped into the house.
In the living room, a young woman was building blocks with Irwin. She looked up as Briony and Stewart entered and immediately got to her feet.
“Mr. Wentworth,” she greeted, her tone polite. She wore her hair in a neat ponytail and a soft gray sweater with matching trousers, her manner gentle and composed.
After greeting Stewart, her gaze shifted to Briony. Her round, bright eyes and cherubic face made her seem approachable and kind.
“You must be Mrs. Wentworth?” she said, smiling. Two dimples appeared on her cheeks, making her look even sweeter. “My name is Jeannie Radcliffe.”
Jeannie. Briony looked her over. With that innocent, doll–like face, the name suited her perfectly.
A girl like this was made to be a nanny or kindergarten teacher–so easy to trust, so easy for children to love.
And it was obvious Irwin adored Jeannie.
That afternoon, Briony spent most of her time in the kitchen, teaching Jeannie how to bake often, Irwin would burst in, searching for Jeannie.
“Ms. Radcliffe, do you want to play checkers with me?”
“Ms. Radcliffe, I’m bored. Will you come out in the yard with me?”
“Ms. Radcliffe, how much longer are you going to be?”
erts. Every so
When Irwin latched onto someone, he could be clingy and affectionate, always wanting their attention.
19:37
Once upon a time, Briony had been the one he clung to. Now, it was Jeannie.
Did Briony feel hurt by that? No, she actually found it almost a relief.
Irwin had found someone new to depend on. Soon enough, he’d forget all about her.
With Irwin in good hands, Stewart would have no more reason to stall the divorce.
Thinking this, Briony felt lighter than she had in a long while.
At five o’clock, Briony untied her apron. “That’s all for today.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wentworth.” Jeannie took the apron from her, smiling brightly. “You’re a truly wonderful mom. I’ve learned so much from you this afternoon.”
Briony smiled faintly. “Stewart and I are in the middle of a divorce,” she said, looking at Jeannie’s sweet, earnest face. “From now on, just call me Ms. Kensington.”
Jeannie blinked, surprised, and hurried to apologize. “Oh–I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”
“It’s all right. You can start now.”
“Of course, Ms. Kensington.” Jeannie nodded, then couldn’t help but sigh. “Ms. Kensington, you’re so beautiful. What a shame, honestly–I thought you and Mr. Wentworth were the perfect couple!”
Briony said nothing, not wanting to prolong the conversation. “I’ll be going now.”
“Let me walk you out!”
“That’s not necessary. Your job is to look after Irwin. I’m only here to finish my last responsibilities. There’s no need for you to treat me like a guest.”
“But you’re still Irwin’s mom. I respect you for that.”
Briony paused, glancing at Jeannie. “Hasn’t Stewart told you about Irwin’s birth mother?”
“Sorry?” Jeannie looked puzzled. “Irwin’s… birth mother?”
That was all the answer Briony needed.
She smiled faintly. “Irwin’s birth mother is someone else. I’m his adoptive mother. Or rather–I was. We have no connection anymore.”
Jeannie stared at her, momentarily overwhelmed by the revelation.
Briony didn’t say anything more. She turned and walked out of the house.
Outside the gates, a white Range Rover waited by the curb.
When Briony appeared, James immediately got out and opened the passenger door for her.
She smiled, thanked him, and slid into the seat. James closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. Upstairs, in the study, Stewart stood by the window, eyes lowered as he watched the white SUV disappear down the drive.
His tall frame was silhouetted against the glass, and beside him hung the ink portrait Briony had finished not long ago.
- er.
Only when the car was entirely out of sight did Stewart pull out his phone and dial Carl’s nu. “Check every hospital in Northborough and see if there’s been any recent record of Briony as a patient.”
For the next three days, Briony came to Southcreek Manor each day.
Jeannie was diligent and quick to learn. Briony realized she could teach her everything she needed to know in less than a week–in fact, three days was enough.
19:37
Chapter 243
On the fourth day, Briony didn’t show up at Southcreek Manor,
Irwin, left waiting and waiting at home, began to grow anxious.
The truth was, for the last three days, he’d been sticking to Ms. Radcliffe on purpose–not because he didn’t love his mom anymore, but to see if she’d get jealous and upset!
But to his surprise, today his mother simply didn’t come at all.
“Ms. Radcliffe, do you think my mom isn’t here because she’s mad at me? Do you think she’s jealous?” he asked, his voice small.
Jeannie frowned gently. “Irwin, why would you ask that?”
Chapter 244
