Ste''s eyes widened in shock. "Are you saying... Irwin wants to hurt you?!"


    Briony shook her head. "I''m not saying I suspect Irwin. He''s just a child-how could he possibly understand these things? But I am pregnant, and I don''t feelfortable with a crystal whose origins are unclear. I just think it''s safer to have it tested."


    "Oh, I see!" Ste immediately tucked the bracelet back into its jewelry box. "I''lI take it to Mr. Dney right away!"


    "Thank you."


    Ste handed the bracelet to James, who wasted no time contacting a friend.


    His friend told him to send it over as soon as possible.


    So James and Ste headed out together to find a courier service and ship off the bracelet.


    Briony returned to her room, intending to lie down and rest for a while, but Irwin rolled in, dragging his little suitcase behind him.


    "Mom!"


    Briony paused, sitting up as she nced at his suitcase. She guessed what he wanted and frowned slightly.


    Irwin let go of his suitcase and ran over to her. "Mom, I want to sleep with you tonight!"


    Briony''s frown deepened. She was pregnant now, and Irwin had a habit of tossing and turning in his sleep-what if he kicked her belly by ident?


    "Why don''t you sleep with your dad tonight?" she said, gently moving his small hand off her leg.


    Irwin scowled. "But I want to sleep with you, Mom!"


    "My sleep hasn''t been greattely. If you stay with me, I won''t get any rest."


    "I''ll be good-I promise I won''t move around."


    Briony sighed, pressing her lips together. "Irwin, you''re getting older now. I don''t want to have to repeat myself."


    Seeing that his mom wouldn''t budge, Irwin looked crestfallen. He worried that if he kept pushing, he''d only upset her more.


    "Fine," he said with a sigh. "I''ll sleep with Dad instead."


    Briony nodded. "Take your suitcase to your dad''s room. I''m tired and need to lie down for a bit."


    Irwin nodded, head down, and wheeled his suitcase out of the room.


    He even closed the door gently behind him.


    Briony stared at the closed door for a while, then finallyy down on her side.


    ...


    Next door, Irwin rolled his suitcase into the room.


    Stewart looked up from his book, raising an eyebrow. "Got sent back by your mom, huh?"


    Irwin pouted, his cheeks puffing out in frustration. "Mom''s so cold!"


    Stewart came over and pulled the suitcase in front of the wardrobe. "Don''t me your mom. She just needs a little time."


    "Dad, when are we giving Mom that surprise you mentioned?" Irwin''s face crumpled in worry. "I want her to be happy again—right away! I really don''t like seeing her like this."


    "Tomorrow night," Stewart replied, opening the suitcase and ncing back at him. "Come here, I''ll show you how to put your clothes away."


    "Okay..." Irwin shuffled over, crouching beside the suitcase, his mood still gloomy. "Mom used to do all this for us. Now she doesn''t care about us at all. Dad, it''s like we''ve been banished to the doghouse!"


    Stewart paused, then ruffled Irwin''s hair. "Don''t let your imagination run wild." Irwin just huffed.


    He wasn''t imagining things-Mom really didn''t love him and Dad anymore!