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.

up front. "Dad, I'm staying with Mom tonight, so you don't

you and Rosita, but please tell her-if she's so worried about Irwin's identity getting out, maybe she should stop dragging him everywhere. And if she does, she

me," Stewart replied, his voice low. "What happened tonight wasn't intentional. Some paparazzi were following

didn't bother responding. She hung

Irwin. "Did you hear what

He nodded.

his face, but he always listened to his

he'd get to stay with

shoulders slumped. He looked up at Briony. "Mom, when can I

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 Rosita—that's your family. I'm just... someone on

brow wrinkled in confusion. "How can you be

small hands, trying to make sense

and Dad for five years! We

pressed her fingers to her forehead,

and dads live together. You and Dad used to, too! That means we're a family. The three

listen any longer. He switched on some soft classical music,

watched Irwin's earnest little face

Your father and I have separated. We won't be living together again. From now on, you and