Chapter 10
Briony didn't look up. Instead, she picked up the paperwork and fixed her gaze on Rosita. "Tell Stewart my lawyer will be in touch about the rest of the divorce," she said coolly.
With that, she turned to leave.
Rosita stood up, her voice gentle and edged with a hint of pleading. "Ms. Kensington, is Irwin with you?"
Briony paused mid-step, glancing back at her.
Rosita's eyes were soft, almost desperate. "I haven't seen Irwin in days. Would it be alright if I went upstairs to see him?"
Briony hesitated. She really didn't want Rosita setting foot in her studio. But Irwin was Rosita's child. Once the divorce was finalized, Briony wouldn't even be his legal guardian anymore.
The thought twisted inside her, and she opened her mouth to reply-only to be interrupted by a tiny, eager voice.
"Mom!"
Briony turned, just in time to see Irwin bounding toward her.
He flung himself into her arms. Out of habit, Briony caught him, ruffling his hair gently. "What are you doing down here on your own?"
"Hannah rode the elevator with me," Irwin explained, snuggling closer. "She only left when she saw me walk into the café."
He clung to Briony, his small face burrowing into her shoulder. "Mom, why were you gone so long? I missed you!"
Briony couldn't help but smile, exasperated and fond. This little boy always knew how to tug at her heart.
Their affectionate exchange didn't go unnoticed-Rosita's slender frame wavered, her lovely face draining of color.
"Irwin..." Rosita's voice trembled.
Irwin looked up, startled, and met Rosita's wounded gaze. He froze, uncertainty flickering across his small features.
Briony felt the tension too. She was just about to let Irwin go when footsteps sounded behind them.
"Rosita."
Briony turned to see Stewart striding over. He was tall, dressed in a long black overcoat, his expression cold and unreadable.
Without a word, he stepped to Rosita's side, slipped off his coat, and draped it carefully over her head, shielding her completely.
Rosita was tucked securely into Stewart's arms, as if nothing in the world could touch her.
Briony stared, numb, a sharp, aching pain spreading through her chest.
Leaning down, Stewart murmured softly to Rosita, "There are photographers outside."
At his words, Rosita's face went pale with panic. She clung to Stewart's shirt, hiding her famous, beautiful face against his chest.
With one protective arm around her, Stewart led Rosita away.
As they passed Briony, he only said, "Take Irwin home. I'll pick him up later."
It was an order, not a request.
Briony held Irwin close, watching through the café's window as Stewart shielded Rosita all the way to the car.
He looked the perfect gentleman-kind, attentive, utterly devoted.
Not a single strand of Rosita's hair was visible beneath that black coat as the car door closed behind her.
The sleek Maybach slid out of sight.
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Briony looked down at the divorce
papers clutched in her hand pressing her lips together as she fought back the sting of tears. Visit
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"Mom, are you okay?" Irwin's worried eyes searched her face.
She forced a smile, drawing a shaky breath. "I'm fine, sweetheart."
Irwin studied her, looking for any sign she wasn't telling the truth. When he found none, he relaxed.
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Briony seemed okay, but Irwin clearly remembered how sad Rosita looked a moment ago the thought that he might have been the reason made his heart twist with guilt. Visit
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Briony glanced at the clock-she was supposed to meet a friend for a check-up
soon.
She ruffled Irwin's hair. "Irwin, I have to run some errands. Can you wait for me at
the studio?"
"No!" Irwin blurted, desperate to see Rosita. But he didn't want Briony to know
how much he worried.
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His eyes darted as he came up with
an excuse. "Mom, you haven't beem home in day's FDad just asked you to take me home-maybe he has something important to tell you?" Visit Novelxo.org to read the latest chapter of this novel