Once inside, she realized Stewart wasn't downstairs.

"Irwin, go up to your room and start your homework."

"Okay." Irwin trudged up the stairs, backpack slung over his shoulder, clearly in a foul mood.

Jeannie, on the other hand, was practically buzzing with excitement. She hurried back to her room to touch up her makeup and spritzed herself with perfume before stepping out again.

As she left her room, Stewart emerged from his study at the same moment.

"Mr. Wentworth," Jeannie called, walking over with a bright smile. "Just finished working?"

The moment she approached, a wave of overpowering floral fragrance hit him.

Stewart's eyebrows knit together, and his voice stayed cool. "Where's Irwin?" Jeannie answered sweetly, "He's in his room, working on his homework!" Without another word, Stewart headed straight for Irwin's room.

Jeannie, unwilling to give up so easily, trailed behind.

Stewart paused outside Irwin's door, glancing back at her. "I haven't had dinner yet. Could you go downstairs and make me some pasta? Something light."

"Of course!" Jeannie replied, her heart fluttering as she turned and hurried down the stairs.

Stewart watched her go, his gaze growing distant and troubled.

Then he opened the door and stepped inside.

all. He was slumped over

"Irwin?"

and gently patted

and scrambled to his feet. "I—I'm

anxious face, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Did something happen? Is someone giving you a

gaze darted away. "No...

wrong, you have to tell

away with his sleeve, Irwin looked up at Stewart, voice barely above a whisper. "Dad, will you

Irwin's hair with his big hand.

shook his head, forcing a smile. "Just wondered, that's all. I'm

see." Stewart sat down beside

pointed vaguely

Stewart began

clearly not himself. Stewart noticed, but chose not to press

Jeannie came up to call Stewart

to stay with Irwin, then went downstairs to

but all she could do

bowl

for a

his phone and dialed Carl. "I need you to look into Irwin's situation these past

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