Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

He never left Rosita's side, keeping watch over her-and over the promise he'd sworn to keep for a lifetime.

On the third day, Irwin began to throw a fit at Southcreek Manor.

He only had Sylvie for company now; his dad hadn't come home in three days, and even though Irwin begged to go to the hospital to see Mom Rosita, his father wouldn't allow it.

Irwin felt trapped-frustrated, hurt, and deep down, more afraid than anything else.

Ever since he got back from the hospital a few days ago, he'd been plagued by nightmares. Every night, he dreamed of his mom and dad cradling their new baby while he stood all alone in the corner, forgotten.

That night, the nightmares returned.

In his dream, he kept calling out for his parents, but no matter how loud he shouted, they never heard him.

He woke up with a start. The little nightlight by his bed cast a soft glow across the room, but the emptiness only made him feel more alone.

Fear crept in. Hugging the stuffed animal Briony had bought him, Irwin sobbed and sobbed, clutching it tightly until exhaustion pulled him back under.

The following morning, Sylvie prepared breakfast as usual and went upstairs to wake Irwin.

She knocked before gently pushing open the door. "Sweetheart, breakfast is ready. Time to get up-"

words caught in her

the room, staring in disbelief at the empty

"Irwin?"

rising in her voice, as she hurried to check

The bathroom

pounding, Sylvie dashed out, searching the

Irwin, where

say something! Don't scare me

scoured every room upstairs, then raced downstairs, but there was no sign of Irwin

she ran to check the

was—at just after six in the morning, before the sun was even up, Irwin had slipped out of

animal. Tears streamed down his face as he made his

empty living room, calling out "Daddy" and "Mommy" between

to be picked up by the cameras, but Sylvie, fast asleep in the housekeeper's quarters

front door by himself and

this, she felt as if the floor had dropped out from under her. She collapsed, stunned and

over-she was done

phone rang at eight