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.

Rosita. She climbed in without a backward glance. The van moved off into the

was now etched with confusion as he clung to

said, ruffling Irwin's hair with

Irwin let out a wail and burst

heads turned their way, some with

Irwin had

anyone but Briony as his mom, the

and

in front of his kid-sized steak, eyes flicking up

my

Big kids should learn to cut

He dropped his head and muttered, "But

just left him and, suddenly, his nose

a tantrum. He just sniffled quietly, his

table, James watched, torn between irritation and helplessness. "Sheesh. Are you a boy or not? All you do is cry for your mom. How embarrassing

over, quickly cut up the

up! Once you're finished, I'll do my