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
worried, when Briony hadn't come home that evening, that she was angry with him for
it turned out he'd
matter who gave birth to me,
heart melt. She stroked his soft
whenever you
lying, okay? If you lie, your nose will get
but laugh, her
a kiss to his forehead. "I'll never lie to you. Goodnight,
steady breathing was her
break, so Irwin didn't need
took on another restoration
of his time at the studio with Briony. Whenever
two years of tagging along, Irwin was
third day, two in the afternoon, Briony finally finished her restoration work. She stepped out of the
[Are you working this
Why,
put my name down for an appointment? I'll be there
[?? What's going on? Are you...
[Not sure. I'm about ten days
have you not
she'd bought and forgotten at the
lips together with a sigh, typing:
guess- you pulled another all-nighter? Briony, I swear, if you ever drop
[Okay, okay.
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