As Irwin''s biological mother, Rosita knew that no matter how much her fortunes might decline in the future, she could always count on Irwin to guarantee her a life offort and luxury.


    With that thought, Rosita turned to her son. "Irwin, sweetheart, could you step outside for a moment? Mommy needs to talk to your teacher alone."


    The nurse, seeing Rosita was all right, quietly left the room.


    Irwin looked up at Jeannie.


    Jeannie smiled and patted his head. "Be a good boy, Irwin. Your mom and I need


    to have a grown-up conversation. Wait for us outside, okay?"


    "Okay." Irwin obediently slipped out of the hospital room, even pulling the door shut behind him.


    Inside, Jeannie grabbed a chair and sat down beside the bed, her posture cold and imperious. She fixed Rosita with a hard stare. "Go on. I''m listening."


    Rosita closed her eyes, as if bracing herself for a firing squad. "Irwin isn''t Stewart''s biological son."


    Jeannie had suspected as much. "Then who is his real father?"


    "Stewart thinks Irwin belongs to histe friend Randolph, but..." Rosita squeezed her eyes shut. "But the truth is, Irwin''s real father is someone else entirely."


    Jeannie''s jaw dropped in disbelief. "You mean Mr. Wentworth always believed Irwin was Randolph''s child, but you-you cheated on Randolph, too?!"


    "I didn''t have a choice!" Rosita spat, her voice edged with bitterness. "This is my private business. You don''t need all the details. Since you happened to overhear me today, just name your price. What will it take for you to keep this secret?"


    Jeannie''s mind raced, piecing everything together.


    If Stewart doted on Irwin, it meant Randolph meant a great deal to him. But if Stewart discovered Irwin wasn''t Randolph''s son after all, Irwin might lose everything in Stewart''s eyes. And if Irwin fell from grace, that would spell disaster for Rosita.


    "I''ll keep your secret," Jeannie said, her tone grave as she met Rosita''s gaze. "But you have to promise me-no more chasing after Stewart. I''ll be honest with you: I care for Mr. Wentworth. If I end up marrying him, I''ll continue to treat Irwin well."


    Rosita closed her eyes in defeat. "Fine. I promise."


    "Then I''m leaving." Jeannie stood, headed for the door, and left with Irwin in tow. Left alone, Rosita pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Barrie, it''s me."


    That night, Rosita left the hospital and climbed into a sleek ck Rolls-Royce.


    Half an hourter, she arrived at Lockwood Manor.


    The housekeeper met her at the door and led her upstairs.


    At the


    on the second floor, the


    knocked, waited a


    , then opened the do


    Lockwood is here."


    "Sir,


    Rosita stepped inside. The housekeeper quietly shut the door behind her.


    The study was dim, lit only by a singlemp. Barrie stood by the window, silhouetted against the darkness.


    Rosita approached, pausing a few steps behind him. "Barrie."


    Barrie turned, his sharp eyes glinting behind his sses. "I can help you with what you asked-but this time, it''s a matter of life and deathol expect something in return"


    Rosita stared at him, then slowly removed her hat and mask.


    Next came her coat. Then her sweater.


    Barrie slipped off his sses, a crooked


    smile ying on


    Bevel


    "Good girl. But I like a little excitement. You''d better


    Clothes fell to the floor, shadows flickered across the walls.


    A woman''s cries of pain mingled with ragged gasps and the intermittent crack of a leather belt.


    Unseen, a tiny camera embedded in the bookshelf recorded every sordid moment in chilling silence.