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.

buzzed in his

Lorna Riley.

answered, and her breezy, irreverent voice

babe! I barely set foot in the bar and Barrie Lockwood sniffed me out like a bloodhound. Honestly,

lightly. Stewart couldn't help

laughed, careless as ever. "Don't sweat it, just wait for my good news. Meanwhile, you enjoy your stay-at-home-dad routine. Oh, and

Stewart froze.

yet. Want me to dig

his eyes shut. "And I want

them know.

She hung up.

phone, knuckles white. A faint bruise marred the back of

features into sharp relief-thin lips

words looped in

Briony

Goddamn it.

was a

gave way entirely; he slid down against the cold wall, eyes

he'd never crossed paths with her, Briony's life

a therapist two days

let himself sink to

eyes with

his Adam's apple

painfully. He swallowed hard,

the bitterness rising in

throat.

from the corners of his eyes,