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?"

little knot of anxiety

when Briony hadn't come home that evening, that she was angry with him for meeting his birth mother and didn't want him

it turned out he'd

his eyes. "Mom, I'll always love you. No matter who gave

felt her heart melt.

And I promise you whenever you need me,

lying, okay? If

laugh, her

and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I'll never

breathing was

winter break, so Irwin didn't need to go to

on another restoration job-high

most of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever she was busy, Hannah and the other staff took turns watching

along, Irwin was well-known and well-loved

Briony finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of

you

[Yep! Why, what's

name down for an appointment? I'll be there around

going on? Are you...

about ten days late, and my stomach's been

late?! Girl, have you not

reminded Briony of the test she'd bought

together with a sigh, typing: [I bought one, but

Only you could forget something like that. Let me guess- you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear,

[Okay, okay. I

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