Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 55

The taxi rolled to a stop just outside the gates of Southcreek Manor.

Briony stepped out, her hands weighed down by two large shopping bags as she made her way up the stone path to the house.

On the way over, she'd stopped by her studio to pick up the New Year's gifts she'd ordered online weeks ago, figuring this was as good a time as any to finally deliver them.

She pressed the doorbell.

The door swung open almost immediately.

Stewart stood there, lips pressed into a thin line. "The code hasn't changed," he said, voice cool and even.

Briony just nodded, gaze dropping as she stepped inside.

"Is Irwin still locked away in his room?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah," Stewart replied, glancing at the bags in her hands. "You brought him gifts?"

"New Year's presents," she said, her tone flat. Without another word, she started up the stairs.

Stewart lingered in the foyer for a moment, watching her retreat, then followed after.

Upstairs, outside the children's room.

"Irwin, would you open the door? I brought

came Irwin's

busy with work at all! Why did you lie to

Briony's brow knit together.

out at her like this

away on business had hit him harder

out a silent sigh and raised her hand to

appeared, holding

when she

you had the key all along, why didn't you open the

"If you didn't come, unlocking the door wouldn't change anything. What

being deliberately difficult. But she didn't have the energy to argue. She snatched the key from

his blanket over his head and curled up

don't want you as my mom anymore! You're a liar! I hate you-” Briony froze

don't want you as my mom anymore. The words hit harder than

she learned Irwin's birth mother was Rosita, Briony had known, deep down,

come so soon.

she knew he was just lashing out in anger, the sting was

one more chance to speak properly,"

turning to

have something to say, say it. Hiding under the covers and throwing a tantrum? That's not how