“Irwin, your father and I are divorced,” Briony said quietly.
“No we’re not!” Irwin’s little brow furrowed in protest. “Dad said you two never signed the divorce papers. Without those, you’re still married! We’re still a family!”
Briony’s own brow tightened; she hated how Stewart put these ideas in their son’s head. Twisting words, making a mess of everything—like some back-alley bully.
Looking at Irwin’s stubborn but innocent face, Briony realized it was pointless to argue further.
Just then, James pulled the SUV to the curb. Briony opened the back door. “Get in,” she said.
Irwin scrambled happily into the back seat. For safety’s sake, Briony climbed in beside him.
As the doors shut and the Range Rover rolled forward, James glanced back at Briony in the mirror. “So what are we doing with this little guy?” he asked.
Briony was about to reply when her phone buzzed. Stewart’s name flashed on the screen.
She guessed he was calling about Irwin.
Without hesitation, she answered, switched to speakerphone, and handed the phone to Irwin. “It’s your dad.”
Irwin’s face lit up. “Hi, Dad!”
“Irwin, where are you right now?” Stewart’s voice came through.
“I’m with Mom, in the car.” Irwin shot a glance at James up front. “Dad, I’m staying with Mom tonight, so you don’t need to pick me up!”
Briony frowned at that, then spoke up, her voice sharp. “Stewart, I don’t want to interfere in whatever’s going on between you and Rosita, but please tell her—if she’s so worried about Irwin’s identity getting out, maybe she should stop dragging him everywhere. And if she does, she needs to take responsibility for him!”
“Rosita called me,” Stewart replied, his voice low. “What happened tonight wasn’t intentional. Some paparazzi were following her, and she panicked and left Irwin behind. Anyway, Carl’s already downstairs at your studio.”
Briony didn’t bother responding. She hung up.
She turned to Irwin. “Did you hear what your dad said?”
He nodded.
Disappointment clouded his face, but he always listened to his father.
He’d really thought he’d get to stay with Mom tonight.
Irwin’s shoulders slumped. He looked up at Briony. “Mom, when can I come stay with you again?”
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