Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Stewart carried a bowl of warm, nourishing soup upstairs.

Briony was sitting on the bed, video chatting with Little Nina and Little Mario. She'd draped a cardigan over her shoulders on purpose; you couldn't tell from the camera that she was in a hospital.

"When are you coming home, Mommy?" Little Nina asked, her small voice soft and sweet.

With her daughter's gentle face on the screen, Briony couldn't help but relax. Even her voice grew softer, melting around the words. "In a couple of days, honey. Mommy's been out of the country for a long time this time, and there's a mountain of things waiting at the studio. So I'll be pretty busy for the next few days."

Little Nina blinked, her eyes wide. "Is Daddy with you right now?"

Briony glanced instinctively at Stewart.

He came over, set the soup down on the bedside table, and sat beside her. Looking at their young daughter on the phone, his voice warm and calm, he said, "Daddy's here too."

"Whoa!" Little Nina covered her mouth, grinning mischievously. "Daddy and Mommy are together! Are you two hiding from us to have a secret date?"

Briony froze, caught off guard.

Stewart shot her a sidelong look.

He could see the awkwardness flicker in her eyes.

Turning back to the phone, Stewart patiently explained, "Daddy's job abroad ended, and the big company closed down. Now, Mommy's the big boss, and Daddy works for her. That's why Daddy's with Mommy every day."

"Huh?" Little Nina blinked, surprised. "So Mommy pays Daddy a salary?"

Stewart smiled faintly. "That's right. Since Mommy's the boss, she has to pay Daddy."

I grow up, I want to be a big boss too, and hire lots and lots of really handsome guys like Daddy to work for me!

Stewart: "..."

Briony: ".

11

to think! Handsome guys are all trouble. It's dangerous to have so many around you. I don't

to James, eyes bright. "But godfather,

James: "..."

Nina continued, "I know! Godfather isn't trouble at all. You're not just good- looking, you're really good at your job.

"I am not! I'm Mommy's business partner.

Mr. Maynard-you're all handsome, and you all work with Mommy! So why is it okay for Mommy to have a bunch of handsome guys around, but not me when I grow up?"

laugh, glancing at Briony. "Our daughter has a thing for good looks, but she's clever. I don't think we'll ever have to

Briony: "..."

clearly no

quickly ended the

bowl of soup. "I

steaming

and thick, just the right consistency, with a

looked almost exactly like the soup she used to

at

looking a little embarrassed. "I followed

puzzled. "But

eyes, speaking so softly she could barely

Briony paused, realization dawning.

remembered now. Over four

to help teach Jeannie Radcliffe. Back then, Briony had started learning everything from scratch to care for Irwin Wentworth. That journal was filled with detailed notes