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?"
of anxiety eased
that she was angry with him for
turned out he'd worried for
eyes. "Mom, I'll always love you. No matter who gave birth to me, you'll always be my number
her heart melt.
I promise you whenever you need me, I'll always be
it!" Irwin yawned. "No lying, okay? If you lie, your nose
couldn't help but laugh,
a kiss to his
was her only
winter break, so Irwin didn't
studio took on another restoration job-high pay, but
two days, Irwin spent most of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever she was busy,
along, Irwin was well-known and well-loved around
the third day, two in the afternoon, Briony finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of the lab and headed for her office, texting her best friend, who
you working this
Why,
down for an
What's going on? Are
ten days late, and my
[Ten days late?! Girl, have you not heard of a
test she'd bought and forgotten at
together with a sigh, typing: [I
you could forget something like that. Let me guess- you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever
okay.
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