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 her
that evening, that she was angry with
turned out he'd worried for
his eyes. "Mom, I'll always love you. No matter who gave birth
her heart melt. She
I promise you whenever you need me,
okay? If you
laugh, her irritation
a kiss to his forehead. "I'll
breathing was her
winter break, so Irwin didn't
took on another restoration job-high pay, but a tight
with Briony. Whenever she was busy, Hannah and the other staff
of tagging along, Irwin was well-known and well-loved
out of the lab and headed for her office, texting her
[Are you working this
Why,
for an appointment? I'll be there
[?? What's going
days late, and my stomach's been feeling
Girl, have you not heard
Briony of the test she'd bought and forgotten at the bottom
typing: [I bought one, but got busy
you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear,
okay.
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