Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 489

"Daddy..."

"Nina!"

Mario hurried over and grabbed his little sister's hand.

"Mario, do you think Daddy's sick?"

Mario didn't look at Stewart Wentworth. Instead, he used his small body to block Nina's view.

“Nina, I've got a brand new toy. It's really cool-come on, I'll show you, okay?"

"A new toy?" Nina's eyes lit up. She immediately forgot her worries, bouncing with excitement. "I want to see! Show me!"

Mario led her inside, their voices fading down the hallway.

Out in the dark, Stewart's coughing finally eased.

The handkerchief in his hand was stained with bright red.

He tossed it into the trash, turned, and walked quickly back into the house. He headed straight for the bedroom, then into the bathroom.

He twisted on the faucet and rinsed out his mouth.

The water swirling in the sink went from a vivid red to faint pink. Gradually, the metallic taste faded from his tongue, and his ragged breathing slowed.

When the water shut off, Stewart looked up at his reflection in the mirror.

His face was ghostly pale, faint shadows ringing his eyes. He'd lost weight lately, making his features look even sharper, almost severe.

phone buzzed in

Lorna Riley.

her breezy, irreverent voice crackled

it, babe! I barely set foot in the bar and Barrie Lockwood sniffed me out like a bloodhound. Honestly, Stewart, don't be surprised if I break your heart and go

was used to Lorna's swagger, but Barrie Lockwood and the people behind him were nothing to take lightly. Stewart

look at you, worrying about me!" Lorna laughed, careless as ever. "Don't sweat it, just wait for my good news. Meanwhile, you enjoy your

Stewart froze.

details yet. Want me to

He squeezed his eyes

thing. I'll let them know. Gotta run-wish me

She hung up.

faint bruise marred the back of his hand, the skin still marked by

light threw his features into sharp relief-thin lips pressed tight, jaw

looped in

pushed Briony

Goddamn it.

really was

he slid down against the cold wall,

others hadn't been wrong. If he'd never crossed paths

ex-wife saw a

himself sink to the

eyes

while his Adam's

painfully. He swallowed hard,

the bitterness rising in

throat.

from the corners of his eyes, dampening