Lauren was instantly wracked with guilt.

That morning, Irwin had shattered a glass. Lauren had been on the phone with Helga at the time. She'd heard the sound of breaking glass, but hadn't thought much of it—until Irwin's piercing cries sent her running, heart pounding, as she fumbled to end the call.

By then, it was too late. Irwin had already cut himself.

A deep, long gash ran across his palm, blood welling up and trickling down his small hand.

The commotion quickly brought Stewart to the scene.

"Stewart, I'm so sorry. It was my fault-I wasn't watching Irwin. I let him get hurt." Lauren's face was flushed with remorse, her voice trembling dangerously close to tears.

Seeing this, Rosita hurried to add, "Mom was just caught up in her phone call. She never wanted Irwin to get hurt. It's my fault too—if I hadn't been lying down, feeling sick, maybe I could've kept an eye on him."

Stewart didn't respond to Rosita's attempt at comfort.

In the past, if he'd seen Rosita so upset and self-blaming, he would have tried to reassure her. But today, his disappointment over Irwin's injury overshadowed even the smallest hint of kindness.

He looked right at Rosita, his gaze icy and unreadable. "The medicine Quentin found for you worked well. You seem healthy now."

Rosita blinked in surprise.

"The only reason we rushed the wedding was because you were so ill-we wanted you to have no regrets. But now you're better. The wedding can wait."

Rosita stared at him, incredulous. "But... the engagement's already been announced "

"We'll handle it with PR."

no argument. Rosita shrank beneath his stern gaze, barely managing to ask, "Then... how long

no need to rush into a wedding." His words were cold,

saying..." Rosita's voice trembled, tears brimming in her eyes. "You want to put the wedding off

only thing that matters." Stewart's dark eyes were sharp, appraising.

Rosita froze.

her gaze dropping. "But I lost my memory... There's so much I can't remember. I just don't understand

were cold as he

ever since Briony left. She was the one who raised him. In his mind,

mother,” Rosita protested, looking up at him as tears spilled down

here now, aren't I? I want to make up for those missing five years. Just

"Irwin's only five."

He can't be expected to understand all this. Since Briony left, he's

at him,

flickering in his eyes, "it's obvious you had no idea. When Briony was here, Irwin was

defiant. "Whatever Briony could do, I can do too!" Stewart's lips curled into

She froze, hurt.

else can replace." Stewart paused, then continued, "For me, what

her nails

known how much Irwin

Irwin was her greatest

Irwin above all else-even above her, his own child's mother-she finally understood: in Stewart's eyes, she was just a

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

Comments ()

0/255