Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Upon hearing this, Briony's gaze instinctively drifted down to Irwin's bare feet sticking out from under his pants.

They were filthy-ten tiny toes, red and raw from the cold.

She couldn't help but frown.

The female officer, catching Briony's look of concern, let out a sigh and said gently, "I can see you have a good heart. Even if he's not your own child, he still calls you 'Mom.' Don't send him away, not after everything he's been through."

Briony pressed her lips together and stayed silent.

"It's not easy for any family," the officer added. "Whatever's happened between you and his father, just set it aside for now. Focus on the boy-he's had a rough time."

In the end, Irwin was allowed to stay.

Once the police left, Briony led him to the lounge bathroom and turned on the shower, adjusting it to a warm temperature.

"Wash your feet," she told him, holding out the showerhead.

Briony used to do things like this for him herself.

Irwin could sense she was still upset. Though he felt a little aggrieved, he didn't

dare complain. Whatever Briony told him to do, he obeyed without a word.

When his feet were clean, Briony handed him a towel. "Dry off."

the towel and quietly patted his feet

the apartment, so Briony fetched her own slippers and handed them to

the too-big

she rarely wore and passed it to him. "Put this on for now. I'll call your father to come

the jacket and

of the

all she got was

down on the sofa,

the sofa beside her,

her head, looking down

nervously twisting the zipper of the

emotions were a

knew it wasn't fair to let adult grievances spill over onto a child. But every time she remembered who he

away and dialed

he picked

could say a word, Briony cut in. "Irwin's here with me. Come pick

paused, concern in his voice.

replied coolly, glancing at Irwin. "Bring clothes and

"Alright."

answer,