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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