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
the breathless boy,
lost all its earlier
Briony's chest. Releasing the door, she rushed
after her, Irwin limp in
the bedroom, Briony yanked open the top drawer by the bed and grabbed
Nestled in Briony's arms, he
the bed
a word,
Irwin with quiet
Irwin's pale cheek, then
Stewart called after her.
back, just headed
frowned and hurried to
of the stairs, he grabbed her wrist. "There's a blizzard out there.
glanced out
the sky was heavy and gray, snow swirling through the biting wind. It was truly
me. If I managed to get here,
started down the
Irwin wakes up, he'll want to see you," Stewart said
Briony stopped, halfway down.
standing at the top of the stairs, still
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