The moment the magazine came flying at her, Briony's eyes widened in alarm. She sprang to her feet, one hand instinctively clutching her stomach.

With a loud smack, the magazine hit the floor right by her feet.

Briony frowned, shot a glance at the magazine on the carpet, then looked up at Irwin.

"Irwin, what on earth are you doing?"

Her voice trembled. She kept her hand protectively over her stomach, shaken by what had just happened. If she hadn't reacted so quickly, that magazine would have struck her right in the belly.

Irwin's gaze lingered on her tightly clasped hand. A surge of anxiety and jealousy twisted inside him.

Mom... is really having a baby.

"Irwin, I'm asking you a question!"

Snapped from his trance, Irwin finally met Briony's eyes.

Her brows were drawn together in a scowl, and for the first time in his life, Irwin

saw genuine anger blazing in her expression.

Mom had never looked at him this way before. Not once.

sake of this new baby, she was actually scolding

his lip, trying hard to keep the

I saw a bug on your shirt. I was just trying

as Briony was

A bug?

even

sobs. "I'm

small shoulders shook helplessly as he wept, looking so fragile and

her lips together, suddenly unsure if she'd overreacted. After all, Irwin was only five... surely he wouldn't

"Irwin."

voice called from outside

Irwin turned at

"Dad, thank goodness you're here! You're never home,

and desperate, tearing at Stewart's heart. He knelt down, scooping Irwin into his arms. "I'm sorry, buddy. I've just had

"I keep having nightmares. I

even said... she's not my mom anymore. Dad, is it because I was bad? Is that why she doesn't

darkened as he shot Briony a look. "You really said that to

expression didn't so much as flicker. There was still a trace of guilt in her chest, but she knew it was better to be the villain and end this toxic mother-son bond than to keep dragging it

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