Ever since Jeannie and Irwin returned from the hospital, the question of Irwin''s origins had weighed heavily on both their minds.
To be honest, Jeannie''s feelings had grownplicated since discovering Irwin''s true identity.
On the one hand, she was relieved to learn Irwin wasn''t Stewart''s biological son. That meant if she married Stewart one day, any child she bore would be the rightful heir to the Wentworth family. Irwin, with his questionable parentage, would inevitably be cast aside.
Yet she couldn''t help but worry-what if Stewart learned the truth and abandoned Irwin immediately? Then her own worth in the household would vanish entirely.
After weighing her options, Jeannie decided the secret had to be kept—at least until she became Stewart''s wife. For now, Irwin''s parentage had to remain hidden.
The next afternoon after school, Jeannie took Irwin out to dinner. She''d gone out of her way to book a private dining room at a quiet little bistro. After the food was served, the waiter closed the door softly behind him, leaving them alone.
Jeannie watched Irwin dig into his meal, her amber eyes crinkling with a gentle smile.
"Irwin, do you want to know what your teacher and your mom talked about yesterday?" she asked, her tone light and coaxing.
Irwin paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, and shook his head.
"Are you sure you don''t want to know?" Jeannie pressed, her voice sweet as honey. "It''s something important. About you."
Irwin frowned and nced up at her. "About me?"
Jeannie nodded. "Your teacher wasn''t sure whether to tell you, honestly. This might be hard to hear."
Irwin''s nerves began to fray. "Ms. Radcliffe, you''re scaring me."
She let out a soft sigh. "Poor Irwin. Your mom... she was so selfish. She actually lied to your dad."
Irwin''s eyes grew wide. "Lied? My mom lied to my dad about what?"
Jeannie leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You''re not really your dad''s child."
Irwin''s face went pale with shock.
"Your dad has always known, too," she added, twisting the knife.
"I''m not his son..." Irwin''s small hands trembled. "Ms. Radcliffe, I don''t understand..."
Jeannie kept her tone gentle, but her words were merciless. "To put it simply, your dad believed you were the son of a close friend of his, but even that isn''t true. Your mom lied to him. As for who your real father
is your mom never told me.
"I''m not his son..." Irwin shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "That can''t
be true! My dad loves me. How could he not be my dad?"
Jeannie watched the fear and despair flood Irwin''s face. She smiled sweetly, but each word was calcted, sharp as ss.
"He cares about you because he thought you were his friend''s child. If he ever finds out that''s a lie, he won''t treat you the same way again."
She reached across the table, her voice low and urgent. "Irwin, this is a secret. Right now, only you, your mom, and I know the truth. No one else."
Irwin''sposure shattered. He burst into tears.
"Ms. Radcliffe, what am I supposed to do? What if my dad finds out?"
"That''s why you need to listen to me from now on Jeannie moved to sit beside him, wrapping an arm around his small shoulders. Her words were gentle her touch soft, but her eyes were icy cold. "I''ll always help you, Irwin. You just have to trust me, okay?"
Irwin, overwhelmed and terrified, nodded desperately. "I''ll do whatever you say. As long as Dad doesn''t hate me, I''ll listen to you!"
"That''s my good boy." Jeannie patted his head, her movements tender, her gaze frosty.
They returned to Sunset Ridge Vis as dusk settled in.
Stewart''s sleek Mercedes was already parked in the garage.
Jeannie felt a surge of excitement, but anxiety quickly followed-what if Irwin slipped up?
Before they got out of the car, she leaned over and reminded him once more to behave himself.
Irwin nodded obediently, but his nerves were a tangled mess inside.