"Yes."


    "Dad also said she killed my little brother... My brother''s gone, so Dad must be really sad."


    Just thinking about Stewart''s furious face that night at Lunar Heights Estate made Irwin''s heart pound all over again.


    "I''m Mom''s kid. Now that Dad hates Mom so much, do you think he''s going to start hating me too?"


    Jeannie''s hazel eyes softened.


    She smiled gently, ruffling Irwin''s hair. "Sweetheart, how could you think that


    about your dad? Think back-has he ever been harsh with you?"


    Irwin thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Except for tonight, Dad''s never raised his voice at me. He''s always been good to me."


    "Then, think again-why was he upset with you tonight?"


    Irwin paused, confused. He looked up at Jeannie.


    She met his gaze, her voice warm. "Because you went to see your mom behind his back, and you lied to him about it."


    Irwin dropped his head, voice small and muffled. "But now Mom Bryn doesn''t want me anymore. I just didn''t want to be a kid without a mom."


    "I know how much you need a mother''s love. I''ve heard how, for five years, Mom Bryn cared for you with all her heart. She raised you so well. She really was a wonderful, loving mom to you, wasn''t she?"


    Irwin''s eyes burned as he listened. "But she doesn''t love me anymore."


    "But think about it from Mom Bryn''s side. It''s not really her fault. Your birth mom took her son away from her. How could she possibly treat you like her own child now? From where I stand, the fact that she hasn''t taken her anger and pain out on you is already something remarkable."


    "Irwin, look at me."


    Irwin lifted his head to meet Jeannie''s eyes.


    She cupped his cheek, her voice soft and sweet. "You have to understand-losing


    a child is the deepest pain a woman can ever face. Some wounds never heal. So you need to be gentle with Mom Bryn, okay?"


    Irwin nodded. "Ms. Radcliffe, I didn''t understand before, but now that you''ve exined it, I get it."


    "So promise me you''ll be kind to Mom Bryn and your little sister from now on, all right?"


    Irwin nodded, more determined this time. "I will! Mom Bryn was always good to me: It was my own mom who caused my little brother''s death. I can''t expect Mom Bryn to treat me like her son anymore, but I can still be good to her and my sister!"


    "That''s exactly the right way to think about it." Jeannie paused, then added, As for your mom, I do think she was wrong. Your dad''s right not to let you see her. You should listen to him."


    "I know!" Irwin''s eyes were clear now. "When Dad gets back, I''ll apologize to him. From now on,


    to him. If he won''t let me see I won''t."


    "Our Irwin is so mature." Jeannie nced at the clock. "It''s gettingte. Go


    upstairs and get ready for bed—I''ll tidy things up down here."


    "Okay." Irwin stood, feeling much lighter after their talk. "You''re still getting over your cold, Ms. Radcliffe. Remember to rest early, okay?"


    "Thank you for worrying about me, Irwin. I''m feeling much better." Jeannie hugged him. "Up you go."


    "Mm-hmm."


    Jeannie watched Irwin head upstairs before turning to gather the empty bowls from the table and carry them into the kitchen.


    Once inside, she let a faint smile slip across her lips.


    Above the dining room, a small blue light blinked on the security camera.


    At that moment, in the CEO''s office of The Wentworth Group, a man in a tailored


    suit silently switched off the surveince feed.


    He kneaded his brow, let out a heavy sigh, and then pulled out his phone. He


    dialed Carl. "Give Jeannie a raise."


    Carl sounded bewildered. "Uh... okay. How much of a raise, sir?"


    "Double her sry and her bonus. Both."


    "Double-?!"


    A weekter, Rosita took a break from filming and headed to Cloudcrest City to


    shoot a reality show.


    What she never expected was to see Briony walk onto the set.