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.

The van moved off into the night, taking her with it-without so much as a

face was now etched with confusion as he

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

out a wail

some with annoyance, others

and Irwin had been left

anyone but Briony as his mom, the restaurant manager had little choice but

and led

front of his kid-sized steak, eyes

cut my steak.

looked at him calmly. "You're five now. Big kids should learn to

quivered. He dropped his head and

he remembered how Rosita had just left him and, suddenly, his nose stung and fresh tears

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

you a boy or not? All you do is cry for your mom. How embarrassing

James pulled Irwin's plate over, quickly cut up the steak, and slid

you're finished, I'll do my good deed for the day