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

Lorna Riley.

and her breezy, irreverent voice

and Barrie Lockwood sniffed me out like a bloodhound. Honestly, Stewart, don't be

was used to Lorna's swagger, but Barrie Lockwood and the people behind him were nothing to take lightly. Stewart couldn't help but warn

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 stay-at-home-dad routine. Oh, and one more thing I heard from my guy this afternoon. He said your

Stewart froze.

details yet. Want me to

said, voice rough. He squeezed his eyes shut. "And I want to meet

thing. I'll let them

She hung up.

faint bruise marred the

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

words looped in

really pushed Briony Kensington this

Goddamn it.

was

slumped, then gave way entirely; he

If he'd never crossed paths with her,

a therapist two days

sink to the

his eyes

while his Adam's apple

painfully. He swallowed hard,

bitterness rising in

throat.

the corners of his eyes, dampening the trembling tips