At eight-thirty that evening, Stewart returned to Sunset Ridge Vis.


    Irwin had just finished his homework. Hearing the familiar sound of the car in the driveway, he looked up at Jeannie and asked, "I think Dad''s home, isn''t he?"


    "That''s right." Jeannie smiled, ruffling his hair. "Let''s go down and say hi to your father."


    "Okay!"


    As Irwin and Jeannie made their way downstairs, Stewart was already settled on the sofa.


    "Dad!" Irwin dashed over to him.


    Stewart paused in the middle of rubbing his temples, then looked up at Irwin and offered a faint smile. "Done with your homework?"


    "Yep!" Irwin frowned with concern. "Dad, is something wrong? Did work tire you out again?"


    "I''m fine." Stewart patted the seat next to him. "Come sit with me for a while."


    Irwin nodded and took a seat beside his father.


    Jeannie walked over, her voice warm with cheer. "Mr. Wentworth, I made some nourishing soup in the kitchen. I''ll bring some out for you and Irwin to have before bed."


    Stewart pinched the bridge of his nose again and gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.


    Jeannie turned and headed to the kitchen, humming contentedly to herself.


    "Dad, when are Mom Bryn and my little sistering home?" Irwin asked.


    Stewart looked at him, reached out to gently stroke his hair, but didn''t answer the question. Instead, he asked, "Did you get tired doing your homework?"


    "It was alright. Isn''t that just how it goes for kids in grade school?"


    Stewart gazed at him, his eyes clouded with emotion.


    Thest time-because of Rosita-Stewart had raised his voice at Irwin for the first time. The next day, after he''d calmed down, he''d felt deeply regretful.


    That evening, when he came home, he''d brought Irwin a small gift, nning to make amends.


    But to his surprise, Irwin hade to him first, apologized, and promised that he wouldn''t see Rosita again.


    Irwin''s thoughtfulness only made Stewart feel guiltier.


    He knew that Irwin had found the courage to apologizergely thanks to Jeannie''s guidance.


    But Stewart was also painfully aware of Irwin''sck of security; his son was a sensitive child.


    Especially after Briony had left. Even


    Vel


    though Jeannie was there, a teacher could never take the ce of a mother. Deep down, Irwin still longed for the wholeness of a family-both parents there, caring for him together.  s?novel


    But that kind ofpleteness... could it ever return?


    Stewart closed his eyes, wrestling with the thought.


    For a moment, he thought he could almost hear that familiar voice-


    [Stewart, Rosita''s pregnant. Look, here''s the ultrasound. That little shape is mine and Rosita''s child.]


    [If it''s a girl, I''ll buy her all kinds of


    cute dresses. If it''s a boy, I''ll make


    sure he learns to be strong and


    brave, so he can do something great with his life...]


    [Stewart, I know there''s no way back for me... Please, take care of Rosita and the baby for me...]


    Suddenly Stewart''s eyes snapped open. His lips pressed into a tight line; his breaths came hard and shallow.


    "Dad?" Irwin was watching him, worry etched on his small face. "Dad, are you alright?"


    Stewart turned to look at him.


    He struggled with himself for a long


    moment before speaking. "If I asked


    you and Ms. Jeannie to move.


    ack


    to Southcreek Manor, would you be okay with that?"


    Irwin was taken aback. "Didn''t we just move here?"


    Jeannie, carrying two bowls of soup, was about to call them to the table when Stewart''s voice drifted out from the living room—


    "It''s closer to your school over there. It''d be more convenient for you and your teacher."


    Jeannie''s brow furrowed.


    What does he mean by that?


    She hesitated in the hallway, quietly edging closer to listen in on the conversation.


    She stopped behind the decorative screen, hidden, eavesdropping on the father and son.


    "What about you, Dad?" Irwin asked softly.


    Stewart pressed his lips together. "I''lle visit you as often as I can."


    Irwin understood.


    "Is it because Mom Bryn doesn''t want to live with me?"


    Stewart said nothing.


    Irwin dropped his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "I get it. Mom Bryn


    hasn''t been home for a while... It''s because I''m still here, isn''t it?"