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
worried, when Briony hadn't come home that evening, that she was angry with him for meeting his birth mother
it turned out
you. No matter who gave birth to me, you'll always be my number
felt her heart melt. She stroked his soft
sweetheart. And I promise you whenever you need me,
it!" Irwin yawned. "No lying, okay? If you lie,
but laugh, her irritation slowly fading
his
was her
so Irwin didn't need to
another restoration job-high pay, but a tight
days, Irwin spent most of his time at the studio with
years of tagging along, Irwin
afternoon, Briony finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of the lab and headed
you working
[Yep! Why, what's
put my name down for an appointment? I'll be there around
What's going on?
I'm about ten days late, and my stomach's been feeling
[Ten days late?! Girl, have you not heard
she'd bought and forgotten at the bottom of
her lips together with a sigh, typing: [I bought one, but got busy and
like that. Let me guess- you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever
[Okay, okay. I
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