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."

up, I want to be a big boss too, and hire lots and lots

Stewart: "..."

Briony: ".

11

nearly exploded. "Little Nina! That's not the right way to think! Handsome guys are all trouble. It's dangerous to have so many around you. I

bright. "But godfather, you're

James: "..."

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

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

on her fingers. "Godfather, Daddy, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Ellsworth, 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

has a thing for good looks, but she's clever. I

Briony: "..."

no

quickly ended the

soup. "I

the steaming

just the right consistency, with

exactly like the soup she

looked up at Stewart. "You made

looking a little embarrassed. "I

recipe?" Briony was puzzled. "But I

avoided her eyes, speaking so softly she could barely hear. "The

Briony paused, realization dawning.

four years ago, when

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