“Mrs. Winslow seems to have misunderstood me,” Stewart said calmly.
“Misunderstood?” Gwendolyn White let out a cold laugh. “Mr. Wentworth, don’t tell me you’re here to win Bryn
back.”
Stewart arched a dark eyebrow. “We’re not divorced yet. What’s there to win back?”
“Separated is separated, divorce or not.” Gwendolyn pressed down her anger, trying her best to keep her voice.
even.
“Mr. Wentworth, Bryn has devoted herself to that child for five years. The least you could do, for all the years she’s helped raise your son, is leave her alone.”
“Mrs. Winslow, I’m only here because Irwin wants to see his mother.”
Of course. Gwendolyn had heard plenty about Stewart’s obvious favoritism toward Irwin.
“Doesn’t that boy have his own birth mother?” she sighed. “You two are separated now. Bryn has no obligation to keep raising your child.”
“Irwin’s biological mother isn’t fit to look after him.”
“And what does that have to do with Bryn?”
Gwendolyn’s face turned cold. “So you just see Bryn as a convenient nanny, is that it? Because your son needs a mother, you refuse to let her go. You’re only clinging to this marriage so you can keep her tied to you, making it look legitimate for her to keep raising your son–is that your plan?”
Stewart met her anger with infuriating calm. “Irwin has an excellent caregiver looking after him now.”
“Then why are you still dragging your feet about the divorce?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he said, “There’s no need to tell Bryn that I brought Irwin to Silveridge. She should focus on her pregnancy and not worry about us.”
“And then what?” Gwendolyn couldn’t make sense of him. “Once she has the baby, are you going to fight her for custody? Or is this just another way to use the child to keep her chained to you?”
Stewart didn’t respond.
He stood, checked his watch, and said, “Mrs. Winslow, I’ll be going now.”
Gwendolyn got up too. “What will it take for you to divorce Bryn?”
He paused at the door, glanced back at her. “I’ll agree, as long as we each get one child. Ask Briony if she’d accept that.”
Gwendolyn frowned. “You already have a son. Why must you fight Bryn for her baby?”
“That’s not your concern, Mrs. Winslow.” Stewart gave her a faint, cold smile, then turned and walked out.
Gwendolyn closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
All her years, she’d never met anyone so shameless!
Not wanting to upset Briony, Gwendolyn ultimately decided not to mention that Stewart had brought Irwin to Silveridge.
Since Stewart didn’t seem interested in disturbing Briony for now, she’d just wait and see.
Still, if Stewart had managed to track them down, it could only mean he had eyes and ears at Silveridge.
That evening, Gwendolyn confided in Carney.
1/2
18:59
Chapter 255
“Not telling Bryn was the right call,” Carney said, leaning against the headboard as he took off his reading glasses. “As long as Stewart keeps his distance, let’s wait until after the baby arrives to deal with things.”
“I just worry he’ll use the baby to threaten Bryn once it’s born!”
“If he tries, well, there’s always Mr. Chadwick,” Carney replied.
“True enough,” Gwendolyn said, turning onto her side and pulling up the covers. “No use worrying now. Let’s get some sleep.”
“Mm, sleep well.” Carney set his glasses on the nightstand and turned off the light.
Northborough, Southcreek Manor.
Jeannie was in the kitchen baking cookies when the doorbell rang. She hurried out to answer it.
On the doorstep stood Rosita, dressed in a cream–colored dress, long hair draped over her shoulders, sunglasses perched on her nose.
Jeannie frowned slightly. “Can I help you?”
Rosita removed her sunglasses, offering Jeannie a gentle smile. “Hello, I’m Irwin’s mother. My name is Rosita.”
“Rosita!” Jeannie’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re that Rosita–the movie star?”
Rosita smiled politely. “You know me?”
“You’re so famous, how could I not?” Jeannie stammered, still processing. “I just can’t believe Irwin’s birth mother is you…”
“Sorry, may I come in first?” Rosita tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave Jeannie another warm smile.
“Oh, of course! Sorry, I’m just a little starstruck–please, come in!” Jeannie stepped aside quickly.
Rosita nodded in thanks and walked confidently into the house.
Jeannie closed the door behind her. “Ms. Lockwood, please have a seat. Can I get you some tea or coffee?”
Rosita walked over to the sofa and sat down gracefully. “A cup of herbal tea would be perfect, thank you.”
“Right away! Please wait just a moment.”
Jeannie hurried off to the kitchen and soon returned with a cup of steaming tea, which she placed on the coffee table in front of Rosita.
“Here you are, Ms. Lockwood.”
Rosita gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you.”
Jeannie stood by, beaming. “I’ve got some cookies baking in the kitchen. When they’re done, I’ll bring you a few to try!”
“Cookies?” Rosita looked intrigued. “Are they for Irwin?”
“Yes!” Jeannie replied brightly. “Mr. Wentworth mentioned that Irwin’s always had a sensitive stomach, so he had Ms. Kensington come by a while ago to teach me everything–his diet, daily routine, all the little details. Ms. Kensington was incredibly thorough!”
Rosita’s smile faded slightly. “Stewart asked Ms. Kensington to teach you personally?”
“That’s right!” Jeannie nodded enthusiastically. “Ms. Kensington is amazing. The recipes and snacks she developed for Irwin are all so carefully balanced–gentle on the stomach, good for digestion, and help him grow stronger. She really puts her heart into caring for him. No wonder Irwin is so attached to her.”
