Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 132

Stewart had pulled stunts like this more times than anyone could count over the past five years.

Briony turned to Irwin and said, "Call your mom."

Irwin mumbled an "Okay," and dialed Rosita.

No answer.

"Neither of them is picking up!" James snorted in disgust. "Bet they're off together, up to no good."

Briony's expression turned cold as she glanced toward the river, where sky lanterns were starting to drift upward. Worry gnawed at her.

James, guessing she was thinking about Julia and wanting to go release a lantern for her, offered, "Why don't you go on ahead with Hannah and the others? I'll stay here with him and wait for Stewart."

Briony shot him a grateful look. "Thank you."

"Oh, don't get all sentimental," James said, tugging Irwin gently by the arm. "Go on, before the crowd gets too thick and you can't get through."

He was right—as the evening wore on, the riverside would get packed, and it wasn't safe for her, not while she was pregnant.

Briony left with Hannah and the others to join the crowd by the river and release their lanterns.

She didn't look back at Irwin-not even once. She didn't take the lantern he'd bought for her, either.

the little lantern in James's hand,

years past, his mom would have made the lantern herself, and both his parents would walk him down to the river to float

this year, his dad had gone off to be with

choosing to release a lantern

lantern in his hands, his vision

single tear fell,

well-behaved, so sensible. Why was his

right? Was it true-did his mom really have

did, would she ever love him

...

packed, a sea

it drift upward, glowing

it. She'll know you're doing well

steadying breath. "The crowd's getting bigger. Let's

"Sure."

too; they said their goodbyes and went off to find their

else to be after dinner, planned to

Briony and Hannah to

maneuvered past a cluster of people

kid," he reported, scanning the crowd with a worried frown. "It's getting crazy out here

were just about to head

James said, stepping to her side and extending his arm