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.

on, don't cry. Seriously..." James fumbled awkwardly. "People are going to think I was mean to you

crouch. Amidst her muffled sobs, he could just make out

no idea what

"I'm sorry"

through his hair, helpless and anxious, then finally

cry, just cry. I'll stay here with you. When you're done, I'll carry you home,

cried herself out, utterly exhausted. James scooped her

returned, it was already noon. James ordered some takeout. While Briony was eating, James pulled out his phone and

opening his messages and sending the

replied almost instantly:

about to type a response when Briony spoke,

glanced at her. "Now you're embarrassed? You didn't seem worried about pride when you were bawling by the

frowned at

fell quiet for a beat, then gave in. "All right, all right. Whatever you say." He typed out "She's doing fine" and even showed it to Briony before sending. Briony glanced at the

but at least she ate something. James didn't push

lunch, Briony retreated to

grabbed his