NovelGoldChapter 59 "I hate you!" Irwin hurled the rest of his bedtstories to the floor and stomped on them, his voice trembling with fury. "You're a liar! You don't want me, well, I don't want you either! I don't want any of this!" "Irwin!" Stewart grabbed Irwin's arm, his handsface darkening with anger. "Say one more word like that and you'll be sorry!" Irwin struggled with all his might, but he was no match for his father's strength.
Blinded by rage, Irwin couldn't see the storm brewing in his father's eyes. All he wanted was to let out every ounce of hurt and frustration bottled up inside him— "I just hate her!" Irwin jutted out his chin, his tear-stained eyes glaring stubbornly at Stewart. "You said it yourself-she's not really my mom, right? So if she isn't my mom, why should I have to like her? I hate her! I hate that she lied to me!" Stewart froze.
That one sentence-"You said she's not really my mom!"-hit him like a slap in the face.
He let go of Irwin and turned to look at Briony.
Briony stood rooted to the spot, silent and pale as a ghost.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe was staring at Irwin, her delicate face drained of all color. Her usually bright, clear eyes were now clouded, as if a heavy mist had settled over them, snuffing out their light and leaving only broken fragments behind.
Stewart, always so in control, felt a wave of unease rise in his chest.
[Why is Mommy crying?] A memory surfaced from the depths of Briony's mind. Staring at Irwin, who was now flushed and defiant, she suddenly saw him as he'd been at two years old, lisping his first words.
She remembered the the'd clumsily, yet so tenderly, wiped away her tears- It was the day she'd visited her mother in prison. She'd seen the bruises on her mother's face and realized, for the first time, just how much her mother was suffering behind bars. Briony had been devastated, helpless to do anything.
She'd cried the whole way home.
Later, sitting on the couch with Irwin and pretending to read to him, her mind had drifted, lost in worry. Little Irwin had noticed. He'd scrambled onto her lap, chubby arms wrapped around her neck, his soft cheek pressing against hers. "Don't be sad, Mommy. Irwin's here for you." The memory made Briony's nose sting. She'd burst into tears again, unable to help herself.
Tiny Irwin had done his best to wipe away her tears with his chubby little hands, mumbling over and over, "Don't cry, Mommy. Don't cry... Irwin's here, Irwin will stay with Mommy." He'd just learned to talk, his words still limited, so he repeated the comforting things she usually said to him. The more anxious he got, the more his words tumbled out in a jumble-awkward, but achingly sweet.
That day, Briony had been completely broken. She'd clung to Irwin, sobbing uncontrollably.
After her mother went to prison, the Kensingtons hadn't let up. They ruined her reputation at university, schemed against her in every way they could. She'd endured it all, no matter how bitter or difficult-but knowing her mother was being bullied and beaten in prison was the one thing she couldn't bear.
She had no power, no connections. All she could do was watch as her mother suffered.
When Briony clutched her chest and said it hurt, little Irwin started crying too, blowing on her with his tiny lips, trying to 'make it better.' "If Mommy hurts, Irwin hurts too..." It was the worst, lowest day Briony had had in five years. And yet, because Irwin was there, his pure, childlike love had soothed the part of her that hurt the most.
That night, she fell asleep holding him close.
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The next morning, she'd gotten a call from the prison. Someone had om reported the abuse, andthể authorities had responded swiftly. Those who'd hurt her mother had been punished. Only later did Briony learn that Irwin had told Stewart what happened.
Stewart had told her, "Irwin was so worried about you. He beggedto chase away the bad people who were hurting your mom." Briony had been stunned and deeply moved.
Everyone said Irwin depended on her, but no one realized that, to her, Irwin was her light in the darkness.
But now, looking at him, Briony felt lost.
Was this really the schild she had raised with her own hands? She took a step back.
Seeing her retreat, Stewart seemed to sense what she was about to do. His face hardened. He barked at Irwin, "Apologize to your mother. Now." "I won't!" Irwin sobbed louder. "She's not my mom! She's a liar and I hate her!"
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