Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Stella felt a wave of hurt and confusion crashing over her.

Was she really such a failure?

Had she truly done something wrong?

In her arms, little Aster had cried himself hoarse-now, even as he drifted off, his

mouth was still searching for his mother's comforting touch.

Seeing her chance, Stella gently popped the pacifier into his mouth.

The exhausted, hungry little guy latched on and started sucking with determined gusto.

Stella blinked in disbelief, then broke into a smile.

It worked!

For the first time, Aster was actually willing to take the formula.

He must have been truly drained. Two hundred milliliters of formula disappeared

in a single go, and when he finished, he let out a satisfied burp, smacked his lips, and soon fell into a deep, contented sleep.

Stella could breathe

tucked him into bed, placing a pillow along the edge

cheeks and tiny hands with a warm washcloth, then changed him

asleep, Aster looked like a cherub-his chubby face soft and pink, nothing like the little terror

bent down

she lie down beside him. Watching his

mind was a whirlwind of emotion-relief, exhaustion, and a lingering ache that

and Briony sat on the couch as Cedric Clarke spoke quietly into the phone, Scarlett's voice

worry. He's asleep now everything's fine. Star brought some formula... No,

out of

anyway. The longer you wait, the harder it gets... I know you're worried about him, but honestly, kids adapt better than we think. Give it a couple of days, he'll be just fine... Please, don't call Star tonight,

from taking care of

baby."

other end. "Don't cover for her-she's my daughter. I

his nose. "She's doing well,

came back, "Are you coming home tonight,

stay here. There's

out." He paused, then added, "Mom, you and Dad have helped us so much these past years, looking after Aster. Why don't you

can I relax?" Scarlett protested. "You're always busy at the hospital, and I don't feel

if it's too much, my parents would love nothing more than

long silence