Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"My dad told me he and Mom aren't divorced! Mom is still Dad's wife! She's still my mom!"

Irwin clung to Briony, glaring at James with fierce defiance. "Mom raised me all by herself, and she loves me! You're just passing through! You won't get to act all high and mighty for long!"

James stared at him, speechless.

Like father, like son, he thought bitterly. The stubbornness, the way they twisted things until everyone hated them-irritating in exactly the same way.

Exasperated, James raked a hand through his hair and turned to Briony. "So what now?"

"I'll take him over," Briony replied, reaching for Irwin's hand.

But just as she turned, Rosita had already slipped on her sunglasses, grabbed her purse, and strode briskly toward the door, moving so quickly it was clear she was desperate not to be stopped.

Briony paused, watching Rosita's retreating figure, and couldn't help but wrinkle her nose in annoyance.

“See?” James snapped, pointing at Rosita's back. "That's the wonderful 'Mom Rosita' you keep bragging about! Yet she can't even bring herself to admit you're her son in public!"

Irwin could only stare, stunned, at Rosita's shrinking silhouette.

without a backward glance. The van moved off into the

etched with confusion

mother you've got," James said, ruffling Irwin's hair with a

the dam. Irwin let out a wail and burst into

turned their way, some with annoyance,

gone, and Irwin had been left behind

refusing to accept anyone but Briony as his mom, the restaurant manager had little choice but to look to

sighed, resigned, and led Irwin

dinner, Irwin sat in front of his kid-sized steak,

can't cut my steak.

looked at him calmly. "You're five now. Big

and

how Rosita had just left him and, suddenly, his nose stung and

throw a tantrum. He just sniffled quietly, his small shoulders shaking as he tried to

James watched, torn between irritation and helplessness. "Sheesh. Are you a boy or

plate over, quickly cut up the steak, and slid it

my good deed for the day and drive you home