Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Irwin, your father and I are divorced," Briony said quietly.

"No we're not!" Irwin's little brow furrowed in protest. "Dad said you two never signed the divorce papers. Without those, you're still married! We're still a family!"

Briony's own brow tightened; she hated how Stewart put these ideas in their son's head. Twisting words, making a mess of everything-like some back-alley bully.

Looking at Irwin's stubborn but innocent face, Briony realized it was pointless to argue further.

Just then, James pulled the SUV to the curb. Briony opened the back door. "Get in," she said.

Irwin scrambled happily into the back seat. For safety's sake, Briony climbed in beside him.

As the doors shut and the Range Rover rolled forward, James glanced back at Briony in the mirror. "So what are we doing with this little guy?" he asked.

Briony was about to reply when her phone buzzed. Stewart's name flashed on the

screen.

She guessed he was calling about Irwin.

Without hesitation, she answered, switched to speakerphone, and handed the phone to Irwin. "It's your dad."

Irwin's face lit up. "Hi, Dad!"

"Irwin, where are you right now?" Stewart's voice came through.

Mom, in the car." Irwin shot a glance at James up front. "Dad, I'm staying with Mom tonight, so you don't need

and Rosita, but please tell her-if she's

were following her, and she panicked and left Irwin behind. Anyway,

bother responding. She hung

turned to Irwin. "Did you hear what

He nodded.

face, but he always

thought he'd get

He looked up at Briony. "Mom, when can

be very busy from now on." Briony's voice was gentle but firm. “Irwin, you're five. I know you understand what I'm saying. From now on, you, your dad, and

wrinkled in confusion. "How

with his small hands, trying to make sense of things. "Mom, it

me, and Dad for five

fingers to her forehead, suddenly exhausted by the

teacher says families live together. All the kids in my class, their moms and dads live together. You

longer. He switched on

Irwin's earnest little face and

is: I've moved out of Southcreek Manor. Your father and I have