This child had always been frail-born with asthma, no less-and the one thing he couldn't handle was getting worked up from crying.

After all, she'd raised him single-handedly since he was a baby. No matter what, Briony just couldn't bring herself to abandon him.

"Irwin, sweetheart, I'm not leaving you, okay? Please, don't cry."

All Briony wanted was to calm Irwin down first.

But Fiona, standing nearby, heard this and twisted it to her own ends.

"Briony, do you have any shame? Irwin isn't even your own child! How dare you say something like that?"

Fiona, who always carried herself with the air of a high-society matriarch, didn't bother to hide her contempt for Briony. Her voice was sharp, dripping with venom.

"No wonder Irwin's never warmed up to me all these years. He's devoted to you, calls you 'Mom,' and now I see why. You've been brainwashing him behind my back, haven't you?"

The accusation was outrageous. Briony's expression hardened, despite her concern for the child.

"Mrs. Wentworth, when Stewart and I married, I didn't ask for your blessing. If you don't accept me as your daughter-in-law, fine-I won't force it. But do you really think, in front of a five-year-old, you're being a good example? So tell me: am I the disrespectful one, or are you just abusing your age and status?"

"You!" Fiona was stunned by Briony's open defiance, her face flushing with anger. "Are you trying to provoke me right now?"

and I divorce is between us. Irwin can stay here with you if you like. I won't

the thought of being left behind, Irwin clung to Briony even harder, sobbing louder. "Mom, don't leave me! I don't like Grandma's house!

already hoarse

five years and had never seen him

to Fiona. "He's too upset to listen to reason right now. Let me

hand and started for

tiny feet moving as fast as they

after them—Rosita, rushing out in a

Rosita caught Irwin

had my reasons back then. I love you,

want you! Let me go, you're a bad lady!" Irwin tried to wrench his arm free, but Rosita just gripped him tighter, her nails digging

little arm hurt from the

Mommy, help me! She's trying to take me

at Rosita, who wouldn't let go, her feelings tangled and

she couldn't pull Irwin away, she shifted

face, making her look heartbreakingly

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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