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

clutching the breathless boy, his eyes pleading

lost all its earlier defiance. Now, he just looked

chest. Releasing the door, she

after her, Irwin limp in his

top drawer by the

his breathing gradually steadied. Nestled in Briony's arms, he soon drifted

the bed

a word, nor

for Irwin with quiet tenderness, something soft flickering in his

a hand over Irwin's pale cheek, then

Stewart called after her.

look back, just headed downstairs

hurried

there. No way you'll get a

out the

and gray, snow swirling through

of his grasp. "Don't worry about me. If I managed to

started down the

want to see you," Stewart said

Briony stopped, halfway down.

looked up at him, standing at the

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255