Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Most of his teeth were long gone, and when he smiled, deep wrinkles fanned out across his face. The staff at the home took good care of him, but there are things no amount of care can stave off age and decline come for everyone.

Irwin shrank back, dodging the old man's reaching hand. He slipped behind Stewart, frowning. "Dad, I don't know him. Who is he?"

Stewart ruffled Irwin's hair, his gaze lingering on the old man who just kept grinning blankly at Irwin. Stewart's eyes darkened, but he said nothing.

By the time they left the nursing home, it was already half past two in the afternoon.

Irwin could hardly contain his excitement-he wanted to see Briony as soon as possible.

"Dad, are we going straight to see Mom?"

Leaning back against the seat, Stewart pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah."

"Yay!" Irwin cheered. "It's Valentine's Day and I haven't bought any lanterns yet! Dad, can we go pick some out first? I want to choose the prettiest one for Mom!" Stewart smiled and ruffled his hair again. "Alright."

...

There was a big street fair set up along the edge of Pearbrook in Northborough, with stalls selling all sorts of lanterns-heart-shaped, animal-shaped, even

wishing lanterns to float into the night sky.

was bound to

picking out lanterns, Irwin also chose

Stewart. "Dad, this one's for Mom Rosita. But we need to hide it in the car first, okay? Don't let Mom see it, or she'll get mad

paused, a little taken aback.

true!" Irwin insisted. "Before Mom Rosita came back, Mom never got mad at me. Mom Rosita said maybe Mom doesn't

like that," Stewart said, taking the lantern from

get jealous, and when they get jealous, they get angry! But being jealous just means you

looking up at Stewart with big, curious eyes. "If Mom gets jealous and mad because I'm close with Mom Rosita, does she get like

"Why do you

back, things were good between you

Stewart: ".

with a five-year-old

"I'm married to

over his mouth, his expression

Dad, I bet you didn't know this-every time you went away on business, Mom would stare at your photos when she thought no one was watching. I'd ask if she missed you, and she'd always say no, but

blushed in