Chapter 251
Chapter 251
“What new baby?” Jeannie asked patiently, her voice gentle.
“My grandma told me not to tell anyone…”
Irwin was still terrified. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was his mother, writhing in pain and covered in blood.
If that magic stone was the reason Mom ended up like that, he’d rather never have seen it at all.
“Ms. Radcliffe, what should I do?” Irwin’s voice trembled with anxiety. “I think I hurt my mom. I think I made a big mistake…”
“Irwin, honey, don’t cry. Take your time, just tell me what happened.” Jeannie grabbed a few tissues and gently wiped away his tears and runny nose.
“My mom… she’s going to have a new baby. But she hasn’t told Dad.”
Jeannie’s eyes widened in surprise. “But isn’t your mom in the middle of a divorce with your dad?”
“That’s just because she’s mad. She said it because she was upset, but Dad would never really leave her.” Irwin’s tone was firm, almost stubborn. “When Mom’s not angry anymore, she’ll come home. Then it’ll be me and Mom like before.”
Jeannie didn’t know much about their family situation. But ever since she’d learned that Irwin’s birth mother was someone else, she’d suspected that Stewart and Briony’s rocky marriage probably had something to do with Irwin’s biological mom.
Whatever the real story was, Jeannie knew it wasn’t her place to pry. But now Irwin was saying Briony was pregnant–and Stewart didn’t even know?
And how in the world would a five–year–old know that?
“Irwin, how did you find out your mom was having another baby?”
“Grandma and Mom Rosita told me.” Irwin was still lost in the terror of his nightmare, completely forgetting Lauren’s warning to keep quiet.
“Grandma said Mom doesn’t like me anymore because she has a new baby in her tummy. She said Mom doesn’t love me because of the new baby!”
“So Grandma gave me a magic stone and told me to hide it under Mom’s bed in her room while she was resting.”
“Grandma said that magic stone would make the new baby go back to heaven. Then, without the new baby, Mom would love me and take care of me just like before.”
As Irwin finished, Jeannie’s suspicions were confirmed. It seemed Irwin’s biological mom and grandma were using him to do something terrible to Briony–right under Stewart’s nose.
This “magic stone” Irwin mentioned must be one of those so–called energy stones that had been exposed in the news lately for being dangerous.
“Ms. Radcliffe… is my mom going to die?” Irwin’s voice broke as he started sobbing again. “There was so much blood. I’m scared. I didn’t like that Mom was having a new baby, but I never wanted her to die–never!”
Jeannie pulled him into a hug, rocking him gently. “No, Irwin, don’t be scared. Your mom’s going to be just fine.” “Really?” he sniffled.
“Ms. Radcliffe would never lie to you.” She smoothed his hair. “How about I stay with you tonight? When you wake up, we’ll find your dad and you can tell him everything. He’ll know how to help.”
18:59
Chapter 251
“But…” Irwin’s bottom lip trembled. “Grandma and Mom Rosita said if Dad finds out about the new baby, he won’t love me anymore either. Just like Mom.”
Jeannie was stunned. How could anyone tell a child something so cruel?
She forced herself to stay calm. “Irwin, what Grandma and Mom Rosita said isn’t necessarily true.”
She looked him in the eyes, her tone serious but kind. “From what I’ve seen, your dad loves you more than anything in the world. Even if there’s a new baby, I truly believe he’ll still lows, you just as much.”
“Really?” Irwin still sounded unsure. “I’m scared the new baby will make Mom and Dad stop loving me…”
“I understand, sweetheart.” Jeannie hugged him tighter. “When I was little, I felt the same way. My mom had a new baby–my little brother–and I worried every day that my parents wouldn’t love me anymore.”
“What happened?” Irwin asked, wide–eyed.
Jeannie smiled warmly. “But I found out my parents loved me just as much as before. And as my brother grew up, he loved me too. I loved him right back. Do you know why?”
Irwin shook his head.
“Because we’re family.” Jeannie gave his nose a playful squeeze.
“Irwin, you and your mom and dad are a family, too. Even if there’s a new baby, your parents will love you and the new baby both. And the new baby will love having you for a big brother. That’s something to be happy about, not scared of.”
Irwin blinked, thinking it over. After a moment, he asked, “So… Mom Rosita and Grandma were wrong?”
“I haven’t met them, so I can’t judge. But I have met your mom, and she’s a wonderful person. She doesn’t seem like the kind of mom who’d stop loving you, no matter what.”
“But Mom really doesn’t talk to me anymore…”
“Then maybe, Irwin, you need to ask yourself if you did something that made her upset.”
Irwin frowned, doubtful. “Was it because I like Mom Rosita?”
“That, I can’t say.” Jeannie ruffled his hair. “But you can ask your dad about it. And about that magic stone–I’m sure your dad can handle it. For now, why don’t we get some sleep?”
Jeannie’s words soothed Irwin’s worries. Ms. Radcliffe was right–his dad was strong and smart. If anyone could get rid of that magic stone, it was him.
