Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

In a place like this—a high-end restaurant—reputation is everything.

So when Irwin started wailing, it immediately drew uncomfortable glances from other diners. The manager hurried over, trying to salvage the situation. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we have other distinguished guests in the dining room. Could you please calm your child? We wouldn't want to disturb anyone's meal."

"That's a misunderstanding!" James interjected, gesturing toward Rosita, who was sitting not far away. "He's got the wrong woman-that's the kid's real mother."

The manager turned, following James's gaze to Rosita.

"Ms. Rosita, the actress?" The manager shook his head, incredulous. "Sir, please don't make jokes. The child may have come in with Ms. Rosita, but he always calls her 'Ms. Rosita.' Meanwhile, the minute he saw your friend here, he started shouting 'Mom.' Isn't it obvious who the real mother is?"

James blinked, momentarily thrown. Wait-a kid who won't call Rosita "Mom" in public? Now that was interesting.

He shot Briony a look, one eyebrow raised. "So she's brave enough to have a kid, but not to claim him? What do you think if I made a fake profile online and spilled the truth, would her whole image just collapse overnight?"

Briony glanced over at Rosita.

move a muscle, making it clear she had no intention of coming over to claim

years, Rosita had carefully crafted her image in the film industry as "America's Sweetheart," the pure, untouchable goddess. There was no way she'd let her fans

followers on Facebook. Since then, Rosita had avoided mentioning

Rosita's work meant everything to

consequences. Rosita wanted her career and her child, but she wasn't willing to take the slightest risk. When

thought about it,

his business. But why should Briony be the one to pay for

"Mom!"

suddenly flung himself at her, arms wrapped tight

so much..." he sobbed, burying his face against her stomach, his little hands clutching her shirt as if

perfectly still, letting him hold on. In just a month, Irwin seemed to have grown

her heart. She'd raised him for five years—she'd never once let him cry like

give in. She kept her voice