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
angry with him for
turned out
his eyes. "Mom, I'll always love you. No matter who gave
heart melt. She stroked his
whenever you need me, I'll always be
lying, okay? If you lie, your nose
help but laugh,
leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I'll
breathing was
Irwin didn't need to go to
on another restoration job-high pay,
with Briony. Whenever she was busy, Hannah and the
tagging along, Irwin was well-known
day, two in the afternoon, Briony finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of the lab and headed for
[Are you
Why, what's
down for
going on? Are you...
sure. I'm about ten days late,
days late?! Girl, have you not heard
test she'd bought and forgotten at the bottom
her lips together with a sigh, typing: [I
I swear, if you ever drop dead in the restoration room, I wouldn't be surprised. Go
okay. I
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