Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Once Stewart picked up Irwin, Lauren grabbed her purse and headed to the hospital.

VIP suite, St. John's Hospital.

Lauren pushed open the door to the private room-

Rosita was sitting up in bed, reading.

Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting a soft glow along the edge of the bed and illuminating Rosita's profile-her skin looked flawless in the morning light. Standing nearby, her personal assistant Daisy was snapping candid photos of her with a phone.

Lauren paused in the doorway, then quietly stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She didn't want to interrupt.

Daisy finished snapping pictures and handed the phone over. "Rosita, take a look -let me know which ones you like?"

Rosita set her book aside and scrolled through the photos, her slender fingers moving deftly over the screen. After a moment, she selected a few. "These are good. Post them in a nine-photo collage, and for the caption... something like 'Peaceful days, waiting for the flowers to bloom.' And remember to disable comments."

Daisy nodded. "Got it, I'll take care of it."

Rosita looked at Daisy-a fresh-out-of-college girl, unassuming and earnest, always eager to please. She was exactly the kind of assistant Rosita liked: straightforward and reliable.

Rosita's expression softened into a warm smile. "Thank you, Daisy. You've done a great job."

Daisy blushed immediately.

by how approachable she was-so beautiful, yet never putting on airs.

was just a shame that Rosita's illness had forced her to retire. The fans didn't know the truth; for days now,

felt a pang of sympathy

is just

but around me there's no need

Daisy glanced at Lauren, catching the hint. "I'll leave you two alone. Let me know if

nodded gently. "Thank you,

nod, then slipped out the

was quiet again as Lauren finally crossed

book back up, glanced at Lauren, and asked in her usual gentle voice, "Mom,

"Don't you

puzzled.

took Irwin and Briony on

would

"How should I know?"

genuine surprise. She probed gently, "Rosita, has something happened between you