"Irwin," Jeannie said, ncing at him, "I think there''s something wrong with your mother. Go to the nurses'' station and get someone, quickly."


    Worried about Rosita, Irwin nodded at once and dashed out of the room to find a nurse.


    As soon as he left, Jeannie quietly locked the door behind him.


    She crossed the room and gave Rosita''s cheek a gentle p.


    Rosita frowned in her sleep, still trapped in some nightmare, unable to wake.


    Jeannie pressed harder. "Ms. Lockwood!"


    The sting snapped Rosita awake. She stared at Jeannie, still dazed, struggling to make sense of her surroundings.


    "Wake up, Ms. Lockwood." Jeannie shed her a sweet, almost innocent smile. "Now that we''re alone, let''s talk about Irwin, shall we?"


    Rosita''s brow furrowed. "What about Irwin?"


    "His parentage," Jeannie replied, her eyes glinting. "Did you know you were talking in your sleep? You said Irwin''s real parentage must be kept from Mr. Wentworth. I''m curious-what is Irwin''s real story?"


    Rosita''s expression shifted instantly. "I never said that, you must have misheard."


    "I recorded it." There was a calcting edge in Jeannie''s eyes. "If you won''t tell me, I''ll just go and ask Mr. Wentworth myself."


    "You wouldn''t dare!"


    "I''m Irwin''s teacher, you know. Mr. Wentworth trusts mepletely." Jeannie''s smile grew even sweeter, but her tone was cold and threatening. "I care about Irwin, truly. That means I need to know everything about him. And it certainly seems you''re hiding a big secret from Mr. Wentworth, Ms. Lockwood."


    Rosita went pale, her hands clutching the bedsheet, head pounding and thoughts racing.


    "Time''s running out, Ms. Lockwood," Jeannie said lightly. "Irwin''s off fetching a nurse for me, but he''ll be back any second. If you want to keep this between us, you''d better tell me everything before he returns."


    Rosita stared at Jeannie, seeing her clearly for the first time.


    "All this time, you''ve been obsessed with Stewart, haven''t you?"


    "Obsessed?" Jeannieughed. "And you have the nerve to use me? If we''re talking about delusions, I''d say you''re the one living in a fantasy."


    Rosita gritted her teeth. "Give it up, Jeannie. Stewart would never want someone like you."


    "Whether Mr. Wentworth wants me or not is none of your concern," Jeannie replied smoothly. "Let''s get back to my question."


    Rosita red at her.


    Just then, someone knocked on the door.


    "Ms. Jeannie, I brought the nurse! Please open up!"


    Hearing Irwin''s voice, Rosita''s mind spun in panic. Irwin must never find out!


    "Ms. Lockwood, I suppose I should let them in-"


    "No!" Rosita lunged forward and


    grabbed Jeannie''s hand. "Wait! /et


    tell you everything, just promise me-you''ll keep this secret forever. Please, I''m begging you."


    She was desperate now. "I promise, just please don''t tell anyone."


    Jeannie arched an eyebrow and, satisfied, went to unlock the door.


    Irwin rushed in the moment it opened. "Mom!"


    Rosita reached out, gently ruffling his hair. "I''m alright, Irwin. Thank you for still calling me ''Mom.""


    Seeing she was okay, Irwin''s face


    clouded over. He stepped back a few paces. "If you''re fine, I''ll go now. Please don''te looking for me again. Dad will be angry if he finds out."


    "Alright." Rosita watched him leave.


    Irwin had to stay with Stewart. This was herst chance. Even if she and Stewart had no future, as long as Irwin was revealed to be Randolph''s son, Stewart would never tum his back on him.


    Everything the Wentworth family owned-one day, it would all belong to Irwin.