Briony rested her hand on her belly, a gentle warmth blossoming in her heart.
She didn’t hope for her child to be especially gifted–just healthy and safe. That would be enough.
Stewart drove himself back to Southcreek Manor. After picking up Irwin, he headed straight for Lunar Heights
Estate.
Inside the car, Irwin sat in the backseat and asked, “Dad, we’re just having dinner with Mom Rosita, right?”
“That’s right,” Stewart replied.
“So I don’t have to sleep over there tonight, do I?”
At this, Stewart glanced up, catching Irwin’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “That’s up to you. If you want to stay the night, you can.”
“I don’t want to!” Irwin pouted. “Mom Rosita doesn’t know how to cook, and she never reads me bedtime stories. Plus, I always have nightmares when I sleep there.”
“Alright,” Stewart said, “I’ll bring you back to Southcreek Manor after dinner.”
Irwin’s face instantly lit up. “Thank you, Dad! You’re the best!”
A faint smile tugged at Stewart’s lips.
Ten minutes later, the sleek black Maybach pulled into the driveway at Lunar Heights Estate.
Hearing the car, Rosita hurried out of the house.
“Irwin!”
Irwin had just stepped out when he heard her call. His small frame stiffened instinctively.
He couldn’t help but remember the last time Rosita had lost her temper with him.
“I want Dad,” Irwin whispered, edging behind Stewart and clutching the back of his suit jacket with both hands. “Dad, hold me.”
Without hesitation, Stewart scooped Irwin up into his arms.
Rosita paused, momentarily taken aback.
Seeing her son so obviously hiding from her, her eyes filled with hurt. “Irwin, sweetheart, it’s Mommy. What’s wrong?”
Irwin clung to Stewart, burying his face in his father’s shoulder, refusing even to look at Rosita.
That sight only deepened the bitterness in Rosita’s heart.
“Irwin…” Tears slipped down Rosita’s cheeks, her slender frame trembling, as if she might collapse at any
moment.
Stewart spoke coolly, “Last time, when you had your episode, it frightened him. Now he’s wary of you.”
Rosita froze.
Last time… Was that when she’d lost control at dinner, just because Irwin had complimented Briony? Had a single outburst made her son resent his own mother?
She lowered her head, sobbing quietly, but a flicker of defiance and frustration flashed in her eyes,
Stewart carried Irwin inside.
Rosita wiped her tears and followed them in.
172
19.00
Chapter 258
The housekeeper was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Stewart settled on the living room sofa with Irwin still in his arms.
Rosita brought out a box of Irwin’s old favorite toys. “Irwin, Mommy didn’t mean to snap at you before. I was sick and couldn’t help it. Will you forgive me?”
Irwin glanced at the toys in her hands, then slowly raised his head to look at her.
Rosita met his gaze, her lips curving into a gentle, sweet smile.
She was, after all, an award–winning actress–she could effortlessly put on a face so beautiful and harmless it was hard not to believe her.
Irwin blinked. “Are you better now, Mommy?”
“I’ve been very well–behaved lately,” Rosita assured him. “I’ve been working closely with Dr. Wallace, taking my medication every day, and I’m feeling much better. So you don’t need to be afraid of me anymore, okay?”
Irwin looked up at Stewart, searching for reassurance.
Stewart just ruffled his hair encouragingly, saying nothing.
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