Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 471

"Can I see your room, Mario?" Nina asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Mario nodded. "Sure."

Carol smiled at the two of them. "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

Hand in hand, Mario and Nina followed Carol up the staircase, giggling softly as they went.

Briony picked up the clothes she'd brought and was about to head after them when Lorna's voice stopped her.

"Ms. Kensington, could we have a word?"

Briony paused, turning to look at Lorna.

"Ms. Kensington, Mario is a bright, thoughtful child. I hope you won't let your own possessiveness hold him back from growing up the way he should."

A cool, measured smile flickered on Briony's lips. "If we're talking about possessiveness, Ms. Riley, you seem far more invested than I am."

Lorna's brow furrowed.

"I've already made everything clear to Stewart," Briony continued, her tone even. "If you think I'm out of line, take it up with him. From now on, Ms. Riley, you don't need to pretend we're getting along for appearances. I have no interest in your man, and you don't need to try and take my son."

With that, Briony turned away and started up the stairs, ignoring Lorna's tight- lipped silence.

Upstairs, laughter and playful shrieks drifted from the children's bedroom next to the master suite.

with a gentle gaze. Nina bounced on Mario's little bed. "Do you

reads you

"Dad does."

surprised. She crawled over and peered at him. "But your dad's so serious all the time. Are his stories any good? Isn't his voice too stiff?

earnest. "Dad has a nice

Stewart reading a story, but she just

her lips pouted. "I never had a dad. Not

sensing her sadness. “I didn't have

say kids without a mom don't get

have milk!" Mario

drank cow's milk,” Nina argued. "I had my mom's

Mario was left speechless.

overhearing her daughter's words, stifling a laugh mixed with exasperation. Where did Nina

glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and

calmly. "I'd like to take Mario with me today. I'll bring him back

Their eyes met.

shopping bags in her

leave the toys here. If

"He hardly has time to play

point in continuing this conversation. Their perspectives had never

steady, "I just want Mario to know, in my own way, that wherever he is, his mom will always

aback, his dark eyes fixed