But all Rosita did was grab him and push him to beg Garry for his freedom.


    He did beg, but Garry refused.


    When Rosita found out, she exploded at him. She called him useless, even shouted that she regretted ever giving birth to him.


    Irwin looked at Rosita''s twisted features her eyes filled with nothing but disgust, not a trace of love. In that moment, he finally understood: not every mother in the world loves her child.


    His so-called biological mother had never truly loved him—not ever.


    And in that instant, his thoughts drifted to Briony.


    He remembered those five years when Briony had cared for and protected him.


    He remembered how Mom Bryn''s voice was always gentle.


    He remembered how, even though she never let him have ice cream or candy, she''d bake healthy little cookies and bread just for him.


    He remembered how, every night she read him bedtime stories, he''d fall asleep to sweet dreams and never knew what a nightmare was.


    He remembered how Mom Bryn would patiently answer every silly question he asked.


    And then he remembered his Mom Bryn didn''t want him anymore.


    But this time, Irwin knew the truth. It wasn''t Mom Bryn''s fault.


    It was his. He had messed up. He had disappointed her, and that''s why she left him.


    Until today, Irwin had thought he''d never see Briony again.


    Every single day here had been filled with dread and anxiety.


    Now, with Briony suddenly standing before him, his first instinct was to confess everything to beg her to take him home.


    "Mom, I''m sorry! I''ll never call anyone else ''Mom'' again, I promise. I understand now-only you truly love me. Mom, I''m sorry. Please, just give me another chance. I''ll be good from now on, I swear..."


    Irwin dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the floor, pleading, "Mom, I''m sorry, I''m sorry... Please forgive me, I''m begging you... Please, take me home..."


    Briony and James were both shocked by Irwin''s outburst.


    How had he changed so much in such a short time?


    Kneeling and begging-who on earth had taught him that?


    Garry''s face darkened at the


    He snapped at his secretary,


    disy.


    disgrace. Get him out of here at a


    The secretary nodded briskly and ordered the nanny to take Irwin upstairs.


    Irwin struggled, refusing to go. The


    35 on 3 Couldn''t manage him alone


    so


    secretary called in a security


    guard.


    The burly guard mped a hand over Irwin''s mouth and carried him upstairs.


    Briony and James could only watch, stunned by the whole scene.


    Clearly, Irwin hadn''t been living well here.


    At that moment, the secretary''s phone buzzed.


    She answered, then walked up to Garry and leaned in to report, "Sir, Mr.


    Wentworth has arrived."


    Garry arched an eyebrow.


    Everyone was here.


    Now the real show could begin.


    He ordered, "Take Ms. Kensington and Mr. Dney to the side room. I want to speak with Stewart alone."


    Briony and James exchanged uneasy nces but could onlyply-Garry wasn''t giving them any choice.


    Once they reached the side room, the secretary brought in aptop.


    The screen was already on, showing a live feed from the living room''s surveince camera.


    Briony and James looked at each other, surprised.


    What on earth was Garry up to now?


    On the monitor, Stewart entered from outside, with Carl by his side.


    Stewart got straight to the point.


    "Garry,want to see my son first et


    Otherwise, there''s nothing to talk


    '' set


    Garry knew Stewart wasn''t one for small talk.


    He didn''t bother pretending, and immediately signaled for someone to bring the child in.


    A few momentster, footsteps echoed on the stairs.


    Carol came down, carrying little Mario in her arms...