Chapter 177 He called Irwin again.
This time, Irwin picked up in front of Briony.
On the other end, Stewart explained that he needed to stay in Northborough for a couple of days. He asked Briony to take Irwin around Cloudcrest City for now- he'd already arranged all their activities in advance.
Briony replied simply, "We agreed on one week. Whether you show up or not isn't my concern, but when the time's up, I'm heading back. And just so we're clear, you're the one breaking the promise, not me. I've done my part." Stewart just said, "Alright." After that day, Stewart didn't call again—and of course, he didn't show up either.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBriony was left in peace. She teamed up with Stella and James, and the three of them enjoyed a carefree week exploring Cloudcrest City with Irwin in tow.
Stella and James were in high spirits, joking that if "all-expenses-paid trips with the kid" happened more often, they certainly wouldn't complain.
The three adults were thoroughly pleased with their little vacation. The only one who felt hard done by was Irwin. Every day, he tried to call his father, but Stewart never answered.
By the seventh day, Stewart still hadn't appeared.
Irwin threw a few tantrums in the meantime, but with Stewart and Rosita both absent, there was no one around to indulge him.
After two days of getting nowhere with his fussing, Irwin finally settled down.
He stopped being picky at meals, stopped whining that he couldn't walk any further, and when he saw something he wanted, he didn't throw himself on the floor demanding someone buy it for him.
Watching Irwin behave better and better each day, James couldn't help but remark, "This kid's sharp as a tack. If I raised him, he'd turn out to be a real upstanding young man, just you wait." Stella shook her head and sighed. "Kids are like mirrors-you get back what you put in. The five years Bryn spent raising Irwin, honestly, I thought he was adorable back then. Now? Well, let's not go there." Briony stayed quiet.
Irwin had definitely changed a lot since reuniting with Rosita-but she was his mother, after all. Briony was just an outsider; it wasn't her place to comment.
On the eighth day, the three adults took Irwin and flew back to Northborough as planned.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBy the tthe plane touched down at Northborough Airport, it was already past noon.
As they exited the arrivals gate, Briony spotted Stewart and Cedric Clarke waiting in the distance, each with a suitcase in hand.
Seeing them, Briony had a suspicion about what was coming.
Stewart and Cedric started walking toward them.
As soon as Irwin saw his father, he ran over and hugged Stewart's leg. "Dad! You broke your promise!"
Just then, Carl hurried over from behind, gently taking Irwin's hand. "Young master, your mom's sick and wants to see you very much. Lettake you to the hospital."
The moment Irwin heard his mother was ill, he forgot about everything We else and obediently left with Carl.
Stewart approached Briony, his expression grave. "Rosita's health has suddenly taken a turn for the worse: She doesn't have much tleft. We're leaving for Ghana today."