Chapter 29
“I heard Attorney Wentworth doesn’t take on cases easily, but five years ago he suddenly agreed to defend me. I admit, I’ve always been curious about that.”
Briony’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression calm. “Honestly, I barely know him. My advisor introduced us back then, and Attorney Wentworth only agreed to help as a personal favor to my mentor.”
Julia nodded in understanding. “I see. Well, now that I’m finally out, I was thinking we could pick up a thank–you gift and visit him in person to express our gratitude.”
Briony panicked and blurted out, “That’s really not necessary!”
Julia looked puzzled. “Why not?”
Briony scrambled for an excuse. “I already sent something, and my advisor mentioned that Attorney Wentworth doesn’t like to be disturbed by people outside his circle.”
Julia nodded. “Oh, well, if that’s the case, never mind then.”
Relieved, Briony said her goodbyes to Julia and headed to City Hall.
10:30 a.m.
Briony had been waiting inside City Hall for nearly two hours.
Stewart still hadn’t shown up.
She’d called him three times, but each call went unanswered.
Her patience was running thin.
Just as she was about to call him a fourth time, her phone finally rang–Stewart was calling.
She picked up immediately, her tone sharp with irritation. “Stewart, are you coming or not?”
“I’m at the hospital,” Stewart replied coolly. “Irwin’s throwing a fit and insists on seeing you. He won’t calm down. You should come here.”
“It’s already half past ten. Can’t you come over so we can finalize the divorce-”
Click.
He’d hung up on her.
Briony stared at her phone, so angry she could barely breathe.
After a moment’s thought, she decided to go to the hospital herself.
If Stewart wouldn’t come, she’d just have to drag him out in person.
–
Outside Irwin’s hospital room, Briony knocked gently.
The door opened almost immediately.
Stewart stood in the doorway, his voice neutral. “You’re here.”
Briony merely glanced at him, offering no response.
He barely reacted to her coldness, only raising an eyebrow before stepping aside to let her enter.
Briony walked into the room.
On the bed, Irwin had pulled the covers over his head.
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Chapter 29
Stewart closed the door and moved to Briony’s side. “He says he wants your homemade soup. Also, you haven’t visited in two days.”
Briony sighed, resigning herself to the situation. She tugged at Irwin’s blanket. “Irwin.”
The second he heard her voice, Irwin threw off the covers.
“Mom!” he cried, delighted. “You finally came! I missed you so much!”
Briony leaned down to hug him. “Sorry, sweetheart. Mom’s just been a little busy these last couple of days.”
Irwin let go of her and immediately made his request. “Mom, can you make your special soup? And your baked fish too!”
Briony frowned slightly. “I’m sorry, Irwin. I hurt my hand–I can’t cook right now.”
Irwin’s face fell, disappointment clouding his features. “Oh… that’s too bad. I was really hoping you’d make something for me if you came…”
Briony felt a pang of sadness.
He wasn’t always like this. In the past, if she was sick or hurt, Irwin’s first reaction was to worry about her. Now, he seemed to care only about his own wishes.
Looking at him, Briony suddenly realized how much this child she’d raised for over five years had changed in just a week.
“Since Irwin hasn’t eaten yet and your hand’s hurt, I’ll have the housekeeper bring over the ingredients. You can supervise and teach her,” Stewart offered.
Briony hesitated. She wanted to refuse, but seeing that Irwin hadn’t eaten all day, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
In the end, she agreed.
About ten minutes later, the Wentworths‘ housekeeper arrived with groceries.
The VIP hospital suite had a kitchenette, so within half an hour, both the soup and the baked fish were ready. Irwin was still sulking, but hunger got the better of him. With a little coaxing from Briony and the housekeeper, he managed to eat half a bowl of soup.
“Mom, don’t you love fish too? Here–say ‘ahh’-”
Irwin suddenly picked up a forkful of fish and held it up to Briony’s mouth.
The strong smell of fish hit her, and her stomach lurched. Frow
