So when he saw Briony return with Little Nina, he wasn''t really surprised-though he couldn''t help but feel a pang of disappointment.


    Because Briony only had eyes for Little Nina. She never spared him a nce.


    He''d always thought Briony''s coldness meant she had her own child now and didn''t need him anymore.


    But what did Dad mean by what he just said?


    Irwin spoke up, "But doesn''t Mom Bryn have Little Nina now?"


    Stewart looked right at him. "She was pregnant with twins. There wereplications, and one of the babies died. Irwin, you should have had a little brother. She was the reason he didn''t make it."


    Irwin''s eyes widened in shock. He turned to look at Rosita.


    Rosita shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No, Irwin, it''s not true —it wasn''t like that! Please believe me, sweetheart. I would never hurt Briony. Your brother''s death was an ident..."


    Irwin frowned, staring at Rosita.


    He suddenly didn''t know who to believe.


    "Irwin, I told you-you have nothing to do with Rosita anymore," Stewart said, voice steely.


    Stewart had never wanted Irwin to know any of this. He''d wanted to shield him from the burden.


    But tonight, Rosita''s actions had pushed him over the edge.


    "She ran off four years ago, without a word, because she was afraid I''de after her!"


    "That''s not true! Stewart, please—please don''t say anymore. Irwin is my son! If you hate me, just let me have him. I''ll raise him myself..."


    "You''re not worthy." Stewart''s eyes were cold as he stared down at Rosita, sobbing on the floor. "Someone like you doesn''t deserve to be a mother."


    With that, Stewart grabbed Irwin''s hand and pulled him toward the door. Irwin stumbled along behind his father, trying to keep up.


    He could still hear Rosita''s desperate cries echoing behind him. "Irwin! Irwin-!"


    The sound twisted something inside him.


    When they reached the car, Irwin didn''t dare ask any more questions. He sat in silence, tears rolling down his face.


    Stewart said nothing tofort him. He simply floored the gas pedal, and the sleek Maybach roared away into the night.


    Sunset Ridge Vis.


    Jeannie heard the car pull up and hurried out to greet them.


    But Stewart didn''t get out.


    It was Irwin who opened the passenger door and climbed out, his face blotchy from crying.


    The ck Maybach made a swift U-turn and disappeared down the road.


    Jeannie could tell at a nce that something was very wrong.


    Sure enough, when Irwin saw her, all the emotions he''d held back on the drive home finally broke free.


    "Ms. Radcliffe!"


    He threw himself into Jeannie''s arms and sobbed his heart out.


    Jeannie hugged him, gently soothing him as he cried.


    Ten minutester, Irwin''s tears had dried and his breathing calmed.


    Jeannie went to the kitchen and returned with a bowl of hot, nourishing mushroom soup.


    Irwin sat at the dining table, and Jeannie set the bowl in front of him.


    "You probably didn''t get enough to eat tonight, did you? I made this earlier. Have some."


    "Thank you." Irwin, still feeling a little embarrassed after his outburst, managed a grateful smile.


    Jeannie caught the look in his eyes and ruffled his hair with a gentleugh. "There''s nothing to be


    embarrassed about. You''re just et


    kid. It'' normal to cry when you''re sad Letting it out keeps you healthy."


    Irwin nodded and lowered his head to sip the soup.


    Jeannie was a good cook, and he finished the whole bowl in no time.


    After he''d eaten, Jeannie finally asked, "Can you tell me what happened tonight?"


    Irwin nodded and recounted everything that had happened.


    Jeannie listened, shock growing with every word.


    So Briony had been pregnant with twins back then, and Rosita had caused one of the boys to die?


    No wonder Stewart refused to let Rosita anywhere near Irwin now.


    A woman that dangerous-what hope would a child have with her?


    Jeannie felt her chances had just gotten even better.


    But that depended on Irwin never seeing Rosita again.


    Stewart clearly favored Irwin, but if Irwin kept


    reaching out to


    Stewart would surely be


    disappointed. Content b


    Irwin couldn''t afford to lose his ce Wart''s heart-otherwise,


    in


    Jeannie''s own value in own value in Stewart''s § would plummet. Cont