Stewart stood outside the door, his sharply defined features cold and distant. "I'll be away on business for a few days. Rosita can't handle him alone, so I'll have to trouble you to look after him for a bit."
Briony wasn't feeling well, and she had no patience for him.
"Fine. When you come back to pick him up, remember to bring the divorce papers."
With that, she scooped Irwin into her arms and walked straight back to her office.
Stewart lingered at the doorway for a moment, watching her go.
Then he quietly closed the studio door and left.
In the break room, Briony set Irwin down and let out a heavy sigh.
"Take your jacket off and get ready for bed."
Irwin, for once, was perfectly obedient. He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. "Mom, could you hang this up for me? Thank you."
He always had such sweet manners.
Briony smiled at him, took the jacket, and hung it on the coat rack.
They settled side by side on the bed.
Irwin wrapped his arms around Briony's, his voice muffled. "Mom, are you mad at me for going to see that woman?"
Briony blinked in surprise, then sighed softly. She hugged him close, her voice gentle. "She's the mother who gave birth to you. I know it's a lot to take in, but without her, there wouldn't be you. So don't call her 'that woman,' okay?"
knot of anxiety eased at
Briony hadn't come home that evening, that she was angry with him for meeting his birth mother
out
Irwin closed his eyes. "Mom, I'll always love you. No matter
her heart melt.
you whenever you need me, I'll always be
said it!" Irwin yawned. "No lying, okay? If you lie, your
help but laugh,
his forehead. "I'll never lie to you. Goodnight,
steady breathing was
was winter break, so Irwin didn't need to
next day, Briony's studio took on another
the next two days, Irwin spent most of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever she was busy, Hannah and
years of tagging along, Irwin was well-known
finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of the lab and headed for her office, texting her best friend,
[Are you
[Yep! Why, what's
name down for an appointment? I'll be
[?? What's going on? Are you...
days
days late?! Girl, have you not heard of
the test she'd bought and
a sigh, typing: [I
Let me guess- you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear,
[Okay, okay. I
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