Stewart cut a striking figure in a tailored ck suit, his presencemanding and coldly dignified.


    His gaze flicked dispassionately over Briony''s pale face before settling on Irwin, who was sobbing uncontrobly nearby.


    "Irwin,e here." Stewart beckoned to him.


    At his words, the maids exchanged nervous nces and quickly let go of Irwin''s arms.


    Irwin wasted no time; he ran straight to Stewart.


    "Dad! Dad, you''re finally here!" he cried, his small body shaking with relief and tears.


    Stewart knelt down, gently ruffling Irwin''s hair. His voice was calm and steady, reassuring. "Tell me, son. What happened?"


    Before Irwin could answer, Rosita stepped forward.


    She wiped her cheeks, her voice soft but edged with self-me.


    "It''s my fault. I didn''t think things through-I showed up out of the blue. Irwin couldn''t handle it, finding out I''m his mother. It was too much for him all at once."


    "You''re not my mom!" Irwin shouted, pushing Rosita away with surprising force. "You''re a bad woman! You''re not my mom!"


    Rosita gasped as her heel twisted beneath her, and for a moment it seemed she was about to fall.


    In the nick of time, Stewart stepped in, catching her and pulling her safely into his arms.


    "Are you alright?" he asked, concern flickering in his usually stoic eyes.


    Rosita winced, unable to put weight on her foot. "I think I twisted my ankle, but I''ll be fine. Irwin''s feelings are what matter."


    Stewart''s brow furrowed. Without another word, he scooped Rosita up in his arms. "I''m taking you to the hospital."


    As he turned, his eyes met Briony''s.


    Briony''s eyes were red-rimmed, and she stared at him with a desperate intensity. "Is it true? Is she really Irwin''s biological mother?"


    Stewart met her gaze head-on, his deep eyes steady and cold, but without a hint of guilt.


    "Yes. Rosita is Irwin''s mother."


    There was not a trace of deceit on his face. For Briony, the icy ache in her chest only deepened.


    Stewart''s voice was clipped, businesslike. "Irwin listens to you. Take him home and talk to him, help him process everything."


    With that, he carried Rosita out to the waiting car.


    The sleek ck Maybach pulled away from the Wentworth estate, leaving Briony standing in the driveway.


    She bowed her head, her eyes stinging, her lips pale as she tried to will back the tears with deep, shaky breaths.


    “Mom,” Irwin said softly, his little hand wrapping around hers. “Your eyes are so red. Did you cry?"


    Briony crouched down, brushing her hand gently over his small face and forcing a thin, brittle smile.


    "No, sweetheart. I''m fine. Let''s get you home." She stood and turned to Fiona. "You heard Stewart."


    Fiona red at her, frustration simmering in her eyes. Still, with Stewart''s instructions, she had no choice but to let Irwin go.


    Anyway, now that Rosita had returned and Stewart was sure to divorce Briony soon, Briony wouldn''t be able to use Irwin as an excuse to stay in the Wentworth family much longer. The thought brought Fiona a twisted sense of satisfaction.


    On the drive home, Briony tried to exin Rosita''s identity to Irwin.


    But Irwin wouldn''t listen. After a few words, he broke down in tears again. Briony could onlyfort him, feeling helpless and heartbroken. Exhausted from crying, Irwin fell asleep before they even reached the house.


    Briony carefully tucked his sleeping form into the bed in the nursery just as the sound of a car drifted in from outside.


    She pulled the covers over him, then headed downstairs-just as Stewart wasing through the front door.


    Their eyes met. The air between them felt heavy, tense.


    "Where''s Irwin?" Stewart asked, his tone t.


    "He''s asleep upstairs."


    Stewart nodded, brushing past her and heading straight for the nursery.


    Briony hesitated, watching his retreating back, her hands clenched at her sides.


    Five years of marriage, countless nights spent together-surely she deserved an exnation.


    On the second floor, Stewart pushed open the door to the nursery and walked in. He picked up the sleeping Irwin, cradling him gently, and turned to leave.


    Briony stood in the doorway. "Where are you taking Irwin?"


    "Rosita''s unwell. She needs Irwin right now," Stewart replied curtly, and left.


    Briony stood frozen, listening to the sound of the car fading into the night.


    He came and went as he pleased, never once giving her the chance to question, to ask why.


    She nced around the empty house.


    Sheughed at first a hollow, bitter sound, but soon the tears came, streaming down her cheeks.


    In Northborough''s ultra-exclusive Midcrest Estates-famed for its state-of-the-art security-Stewart''s ck Maybach wound its way up the hill and stopped before the grand entrance of Lunar Heights.


    Inside the car, Irwin had woken up.


    Stewart held his son close, exining quietly that Rosita was his biological mother, while Briony had simply taken care of him for thest five years.


    Irwin listened quietly, then asked, "So... does that mean I have two moms now?"


    Stewart nodded, his voice gentle but firm. "Yes. Rosita went through a lot to bring you into this world. She loves you very much. So, you need to apologize to her- call her ''Mom'' and be nice to her, alright?"


    Irwin nodded obediently.


    Inside, Rosita was waiting on the sofa, a nket draped over herp. Her injured ankle was thickly bandaged and propped up.


    When she saw theme in, her delicate face lit up with a bright, hopeful smile. "Stewart, Irwin-you''re back."


    Irwin clung to Stewart''s hand, looking up at him for reassurance.


    Stewart smiled and ruffled his hair. "Go on."


    Encouraged, Irwin walked hesitantly toward Rosita.


    She reached out for him, her voice trembling. "Irwin,e here, sweetheart. Let


    Mommy hold you, okay?"


    Irwin hesitated, then moved into her embrace.


    Rosita hugged him tight, tears streaming down her face.


    "Baby, I''m sorry. I never meant to leave you. I thought about you every single day


    these past five years..."


    Irwin stiffened in her arms, uncertain and awkward.


    He noticed the floral perfume on Rosita-it was strong, nothing like the gentle, sweet scent he was used to from Briony....