"Briony, you''re not thinking clearly right now, so I''m not going to argue with you."


    With a sigh that betrayed his helplessness, Stewart set the bowl of hot cereal on the table and beckoned to Irwin. "Irwin,e here, buddy."


    Irwin nced nervously at Briony before shuffling over to Stewart''s side.


    Clinging to Stewart''s hand, Irwin asked in a hesitant whisper, "Dad, is Mom really angry? Did you two have a fight?"


    "We didn''t have a fight." Stewart ruffled his son''s hair, offering a gentle smile. "Why don''t you go upstairs and y for a while, okay?"


    Irwin didn''t want to leave-not really. He could tell something was wrong. The whole room felt heavy, and Briony had barely looked at him. She''d never been this cold before.


    A knot of frustration tightened in his chest. He wanted to protest, but Briony seemed so harsh right now, it scared him.


    With a pout, he nodded, trying not to let his disappointment show. "Okay. But Dad, please talk to Mom nicely. Don''t fight, okay?"


    Stewart managed a reassuring smile. "I promise."


    Irwin trudged up the stairs, throwing anxious nces over his shoulder with every step.


    The moment he reached his room on the second floor, he grabbed his smartwatch and quickly called Rosita...


    Downstairs, Stewart tapped the tabletop. "I made you some porridge. Try to eat a little."


    Themanding tone in his voice made Briony scoff. "Save it. I''m not interested in anything you made. All I want is to get out of here, right now."


    Stewart could see the anger burning in her eyes, the way she bristled at even the smallest hint of concern. She wasn''t about to ept a shred of kindness from him.


    Rubbing his temples in frustration, he softened his voice. "I''ve already called Cedric rke. He''s reached out to Ste. For tonight, please just stay. Tomorrow morning, I''ll drive you back."


    "And why should I listen to you?" Briony shot back. "Stewart, you have no right to decide anything for me! I''m leaving now."


    He frowned. "It''ste. Irwin barely slept tonight because he was so worried about you. Are you really okay with breaking his heart?"


    "He''s your and Rosita''s son!"


    Her voice rose sharply, her chest heaving. "I''ve raised your child for five years. I''ve done more than enough! Don''t forget, we''re in the middle of a divorce. I owe Irwin nothing—not anymore!"


    Stewart''s expression darkened with every word.


    "Briony, no matter how upset you are, you can''t say things like that. If Irwin heard you, it would devastate him. He truly sees you as his mother."


    "Oh, really?" Briony''sughter was cold, bitter. "Then what if I made him choose between me and Rosita? Who do you think he''d pick?"


    "That''s not fair," Stewart said sternly. "Rosita is Irwin''s biological mother. That will never change."


    "Yes, I respect that." Briony''s voice turned icy. "So do me a favor-tell Irwin his only mother is Rosita. From now on, don''t let him call me Mom ever again."


    Stewart''s jaw tightened. He fixed her with a hard stare. "You''re saying you want to cut him out of your lifepletely?"


    "That''s right, I—”


    "No! Mom, you can''t leave me !"


    Irwin''s shout rang out from the stairs. He had been listening, hidden just out of sight, but now he barreled down in a panic.


    "Irwin, stop! It''s dangerous-"


    Before Stewart could finish, Irwin''s foot slipped. He tumbled down the stairs, crashing hard at the bottom.


    "Irwin!"


    Stewart rushed to scoop his son into his arms.


    Irwin was unconscious, blood trickling from the back of his head...