NovelGoldChapter 123 "Irwin, your father and I are divorced," Briony said quietly.
"No we're not!" Irwin's little brow furrowed in protest. "Dad said you two never signed the divorce papers. Without those, you're still married! We're still a family!" Briony's own brow tightened; she hated how Stewart put these ideas in their son's head. Twisting words, making a mess of everything-like sback-alley bully.
Looking at Irwin's stubborn but innocent face, Briony realized it was pointless to argue further.
Just then, James pulled the SUV to the curb. Briony opened the back door. "Get in," she said.
Irwin scrambled happily into the back seat. For safety's sake, Briony climbed in beside him.
As the doors shut and the Range Rover rolled forward, James glanced back at Briony in the mirror. "So what are we doing with this little guy?" he asked.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBriony was about to reply when her phone buzzed. Stewart's nflashed on the screen.
She guessed he was calling about Irwin.
Without hesitation, she answered, switched to speakerphone, and handed the phone to Irwin. "It's your dad." Irwin's face lit up. "Hi, Dad!" "Irwin, where are you right now?" Stewart's voice cthrough.
"I'm with Mom, in the car." Irwin shot a glance at James up front. "Dad, I'm staying with Mom tonight, so you don't need to pickup!" Briony frowned at that, then spoke up, her voice sharp. "Stewart, I don't want to interfere in whatever's going on between you and Rosita, but please tell her-if she's so worried about Irwin's identity getting out, maybe she should stop dragging him everywhere. And if she does, she needs to take responsibility for him!" "Rosita called me," Stewart replied, his voice low. "What happened tonight wasn't intentional. Spaparazzi were following her, and she panicked and left Irwin behind. Anyway, Carl's already downstairs at your studio." Briony didn't bother responding. She hung up.
She turned to Irwin. "Did you hear what your dad said?" He nodded.
Disappointment clouded his face, but he always listened to his father.
He'd really thought he'd get to stay with Mom tonight.
Irwin's shoulders slumped. He looked up at Briony. "Mom, when can I cstay with you again?" "I'm going to be very busy from now on." Briony's voice was gentle but firm. “Irwin, you're five. I know you understand what I'm saying. From now on, you, your dad, and Rosita-that's your family. I'm just... someone on the outside." Irwin's brow wrinkled in confusion. "How can you be an outsider?" He gestured with his small hands, trying to make sense of things. "Mom, it was you, me, and Dad for five years! We all lived together!" Briony pressed her fingers to her forehead, suddenly exhausted by the conversation.
"My teacher says families live together. All the kids in my class, their moms and dads live together. You and Dad used to, too! That means we're a family. The three of us!" Up front, James cleared his throat, finally unable to listen any longer. He switched on ssoft classical music, letting it fill the tense silence of the car.
Briony watched Irwin's earnest little face and felt frustration rising.
"Listen. The only thing you need to remember is: I've moved out of Southcreek Manor. Your father and I have separated. We won't be living together again. From now on, you and I are not a family anymore." Irwin fell silent.
He wasn't too young to understand what his mom was saying.
He just didn't want to.
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He knew his parents had split up. They no longer took care of himm together or watched movies as a family; or went on trips like they used to...
But why did it all have to change just because Mom Rosita cback? Why did haying Rosita around mean he had to lose the mom he'd always Ground depended on? Irwin couldn't make sense of it. The only thing he knew for sure was that his mom had changed.
She really didn't plan to look after him like she used to.
Realizing this, Irwin lowered his head, turning away from Briony, pressing his forehead against the car window and gazing gloomily outside. Briony knew he understood.
Irwin was a smart kid, more sensitive than most.
But that kind of child needed even more careful guidance.
Yet guiding Irwin was no longer her responsibility.
With that thought, Briony looked away, refusing to meet his eyes.
Ten minutes later, the Range Rover pulled up in front of her studio.
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