Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The little girl was barely two, her hair tied into two tiny pigtails and dressed in a bright red dress. She was round-cheeked, chubby, and absolutely adorable.

"Mama, puppy, puppy~!"

Her young mother gazed at her with a look full of warmth. "Not puppy, sweetheart. That's Max. His name is Max."

"Puppy! Puppy..."

She was just learning to talk, her words coming out wobbly and mispronounced, the soft baby voice so sweet it could melt anyone's heart.

James watched her and, despite his usual stoic demeanor, felt his heart soften just a little. “Honestly, if you ask me, having a daughter is way better. Boys are no fun at all!"

Briony didn't answer.

James, puzzled, looked down-and froze.

Briony was crying.

He immediately panicked. "Hey, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?"

Briony shook her head, quickly wiping at the tears on her cheeks.

But the tears just kept coming.

awkwardly. "People are going to think I was mean to you

covered her face, slowly sinking into a crouch. Amidst her muffled sobs, he could just make out her

what

repeating "I'm sorry"

head spin. He raked a hand through his hair, helpless and anxious, then finally sighed and reached

You don't need to apologize. If you need to cry, just cry. I'll stay here with you.

Briony cried herself out, utterly exhausted. James scooped her up and carried her back to

pulled out his phone and

replied, opening his messages

instantly: [How is

was about to type a response when Briony

"Now you're embarrassed? You didn't seem worried about pride when you

frowned at

typed out "She's doing fine" and even showed it to Briony before sending. Briony glanced at

but at least she ate something.

Briony retreated to the break room to

was asleep, James grabbed his car keys and headed