A pang of guilt stirred in Stewart''s chest as he rested his hand gently on Irwin''s head. "She just needs some time. After everything that happened with Rosita, she''s not ready to face you yet."


    Irwin wiped his tears with the back of his hand. "I know, I don''t me Mom Bryn," he said, his voice trembling. "It''s okay, really. If it helps Mom Bryne home, I don''t have to stay in the new house."


    "It''s only temporary," Stewart replied, his voice tight as he swallowed hard. "Irwin, trust me your Mom Bryn isn''t heartless. Give her a little while. She''lle around, and when she does, we''ll all be together again, just like before."


    Though sadness weighed heavy on Irwin, he knew that once Dad said something, he had to listen. Ms. Radcliffe always told him, don''t let your father down.


    He''d already lost the mother who used to love him so dearly; he couldn''t risk losing his dad, too.


    Irwin nodded firmly. "Don''t worry, Dad. I''ll behave. I promise."


    ...


    Jeannie could hardly believe it-Stewart was actually considering sending Irwin away just to coax Briony back home?


    How could that be right?


    And what was going on with Briony? Hadn''t she told Jeannie she was nning to divorce Stewart? Why was she suddenly making demands like this?


    Had Briony lied to her about everything?


    Jeannie refused to ept it. She''d worked so hard to earn Irwin and Stewart''s trust-why should she be the one to step aside now?


    If Briony really dide back, would there be any ce left for Irwin in this family? Even if Stewart always favored Irwin, what would happen if Briony got pregnant again and had a son? It wasn''t hard to imagine Irwin falling out of favor.


    No. She couldn''t let Irwin be sent away.


    She needed a n.


    Jeannie''s mind raced, and then, suddenly, an idea came to her.


    The next day, after dropping Irwin off at school, Jeannie took a detour to Lunar Heights Estate.


    Before she left, she''d messaged Rosita, saying she wanted to talk about Irwin. Rosita told her toe by the townhouse.


    Rosita had just lost the lead role in her new series. Thepany''s CEO said her injured hand would dy filming, so the part had gone to Mary instead.


    The whole ordeal had soured


    Rosita''s feelings toward the industry''s obsession with tradition Losing the role to Mary stung, but if it meant she didn''t have to keep pretending to love those ssical instruments, at least she could breathe easier.


    Her hand wouldn''t heal overnight, so for now, she was stuck recuperating at home.


    To make amends, the CEO had promised her a starring role in a big-budget adaptation. The contract was being drafted, and she''d be called to sign once it was ready.


    When Jeannie arrived, Daisy weed her politely into the living room.


    Rosita told Daisy to make some tea.


    Once Daisy had disappeared down the hall, Rosita turned to Jeannie. "So, what''s going on with Irwin?"


    Jeannie hesitated, then sighed. "Honestly, I shouldn''t even being to you about this. Mr.


    Wentworth has already made ear


    he doesn''t want Irwin


    acknowledging you as his mother anymore."


    Rosita''s face darkened instantly. "Irwin is my son-I carried him for nine months and brought him into this world. No matter how angry Stewart is with me, nothing changes that."


    "I know, and really, this is all between you and them. I''m just a teacher—it''s not my ce to meddle." Jeannie sounded helpless. "Butst night, overheard Mr. Wentworth saying he''s nning to send Irwin away. It seems Mrs. Wentworth refuses to ept him."


    Rosita''s eyes zed. "What did you say?!" She mmed her hand down on the table, voice shaking with fury. "And who does Briony think she is, trying to drive my son out of his own home?!"