Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

He sighed. "As long as you're here with me, Daddy won't be sad."

Little Mario stared at Stewart, deep in thought.

All at once, an idea struck him. He turned to Little Nina and announced, "When Daddy's sad, he cries too-but only at night, after everyone's asleep. He sneaks out tears when he thinks nobody can see-mph!"

Stewart quickly covered his son's mouth, looking both helpless and amused. "Alright, that's enough. It's late. No more talking-lie down, both of you. Daddy will read you a bedtime story."

The kids obediently snuggled under their blankets.

Stewart switched off the overhead light, leaving only the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

He picked up the storybook, his deep voice resonating in the quiet room-

"Once upon a time, there was a little field mouse. She was the fastest digger in her whole family..."

Briony emerged from the shower to find several missed video calls on her phone.

She checked the timestamps-right at nine o'clock.

It was already half-past nine now.

She'd spent a while drying her hair after her shower, so time had gotten away from her.

By now, the children were surely asleep.

Briony hesitated, then called Marlene's cell.

took the kids upstairs to bed at nine sharp.

letting it

didn't seem in the

"What do you

himself. I checked the security camera-he's crouched by the fish pond, feeding

koi were a gift from James," she said with a sigh. "Go stop him before he feeds

"Will do!"

up

pond, Stewart was crouched low, mechanically tossing handful

one look and thought, If I hadn't come out, these poor koi

hurried over. "Mr. Wentworth,

He realized a third of the fish food tin

clearing his throat awkwardly. "Sorry. I didn't realize how much I was

hand. "Ms. Kensington adores those koi.

guilt hit Stewart. "I'm

hope there won't be a next time," Marlene said, half teasing, half warning. "Mr. Delaney said

vent

only this one batch, if they're gone, they're

faint crease appeared

perfectly well what Marlene

settled over him; he

unsure how to respond.

Marlene decided not to

the