14:22
Chapter 70
Chapter 70
But Cedric Clarke was right. Compared to asking Mack for help, Stewart did seem like the better choice.
Still, she had just burned all her bridges with him a few days ago. Now she’d have to swallow her pride and ask him for a favor…
So be it. If it meant saving her mother, what did her dignity matter?
Briony found out from Cedric that Stewart would be at a gathering tonight at the Moonlight Lounge.
She’d been here before, so it wasn’t hard to find Stewart’s private room this time.
She hesitated at the door for a moment, then took a breath and pushed it open-
“Rosita, can you believe Stewart actually went to your brother in person to help Julia? You know how your brother is all business, no favoritism. Stewart had to donate a whole batch of top–of–the–line medical equipment, and now he owes your brother a big favor! Seriously, Stewart’s going all out for Julia. Be honest with me, you’re not bothered by that?”
“Why would I be?” Rosita replied calmly. “Ms. Kensington has been caring for Irwin for five years–she’s practically a second mom to him. That makes Ms. Hudson like a grandmother. Stewart helping them is the least he can do.”
“You’re hilarious! Briony’s just a nanny–what makes her Irwin’s mom?” Jason scoffed. “Stewart told us himself: Rosita, you’re so career–driven, and with your health, you couldn’t take care of Irwin yourself, so you hired Briony. I never thought much of it, but lately, Irwin’s been asking for Briony nonstop. think she’s brainwashed the kid!”
“Jason, don’t be ridiculous,” Rosita chided gently. “It’s normal for Irwin to depend on Ms. Kensington–she’s been with him for years. Honestly, she’s better at caring for him than I am.”
Her tone softened even more. “Stewart just wants Ms. Hudson to recover, so Ms. Kensington can be at ease and keep helping with Irwin. After all, she’s been in his life for five years–no one’s more suited to raise him.”
“Briony only agreed to look after Irwin because she didn’t know about you!” Jason said with a sneer. “You really think she’s content being just a nanny? Come on, her real goal is Stewart. But now that you and Stewart are officially together, she knows she’s got no chance. I bet she won’t keep helping with Irwin for long.”
“Jason!” Rosice sharpened. “Ms. Kensington isn’t like that. Stop talking about her this way! Besides,
Stewart told me himself: as long as he helps Ms. Hudson, with how grateful Ms. Kensington is, she’ll definitely come back to help with Irwin. Don’t always assume the worst about her!”
“You’re just too trusting!” Jason huffed. “Even if Briony comes back, you’d better watch out–she might use Irwin to get close to Stewart!”
“Jason, if you say one more word, I’m really going to be angry…”
The door slammed shut with a bang. Briony turned away, her knuckles white on the doorknob.
So this was Stewart’s real reason for helping her.
He really was… always thinking about Rosita first.
Briony closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths to force down the anger boiling inside her.
Letting go of the handle, she headed straight for the elevators.
Inside the private room, Rosita glanced–almost unconsciously–at the tightly closed door, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
The elevator doors slid open. Briony stepped inside, and as they glided shut behind her, the elevator on the other side opened. Stewart and Cedric Clarke emerged, making their way toward the private room.
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Chapter 70
At the hospital, Gina was tidying up the closet when she pulled out a winter coat. “This is the one Ms. Kensington wore last time. She forgot to take it when she left, so I put it away. These long puffer coats are the warmest for this time of year!”
“Let me have it,” Julia said.
Gina handed over the coat, and Julia hugged it to her chest, running her hand over the fabric. “It isn’t new. The holidays are almost here, and Bryn is still so busy–I wonder if she’s remembered to buy herself anything new…” She rambled on, slipping her hand into the pocket. Suddenly, her fingers brushed against a piece of paper. She paused, then pulled it out.
When she unfolded it, she realized–it was a prenatal test report.
