Briony listened to Irwin's sharp words, feeling nothing but numbness inside.

Maybe it was for the best. She wasn't Irwin's mother, after all. Maybe it was time to let things go back to how they should be.

She would step out of Stewart and Irwin's lives for good, and let everything return to its proper course.

Without another glance back, Briony turned and walked straight for the door.

"Briony "

A sudden fit of coughing cut through the silence.

Stewart's face changed instantly. "Irwin?"

Irwin was gasping for breath, clutching his chest as he began to collapse.

"Irwin!" Stewart scooped him into his arms, turning desperately to Briony. "He's having an asthma attack!"

Briony's hand froze on the doorknob.

"Mom... cough... Mom..." Even as Stewart held him, Irwin's pale face was contorted in pain. Despite everything, he instinctively reached out a trembling hand toward Briony, pleading, "Mom, I can't breathe... cough..."

Briony's grip on the doorknob tightened.

She squeezed her eyes shut, telling herself not to give in. Stewart was here—he'd make sure Irwin was alright...

"Where's Irwin's inhaler?!"

faltered, then spun

standing there, clutching the breathless boy,

lost all its earlier

Releasing the door, she rushed upstairs toward the child's

hurried after her, Irwin

top drawer by the bed and grabbed the

gradually steadied. Nestled in Briony's arms, he soon drifted off to

laid him on the bed

a word, nor did she

she cared for Irwin with quiet tenderness,

Briony brushed a hand over Irwin's

Stewart called after her.

look back, just headed downstairs

hurried

wrist. "There's a blizzard out there. No way you'll get a cab tonight. Just stay here, at

glanced out the

sky was heavy and gray, snow swirling through the biting wind. It was truly dreadful

"Don't worry about me. If I managed to get

started down

want to see you,"

Briony stopped, halfway down.

standing at the

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