Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Well then, Mr. Monroe isn't very brave, is he?"

Blair's eyes sparkled with amusement. "That's right, Uncle's not as brave as Little Nina."

"Mr. Monroe, you're a grown-up! Losing to a kid is so embarrassing!" she teased, her nose scrunched in mock disapproval.

Blair nodded without hesitation, indulging her every whim. "You're right, Uncle's embarrassed. Little Nina is the best."

"Of course I am! My daddy always says I'm his little princess-the best one!"

Blair pressed his lips together, hiding a smile.

After a pause, he said gently, "You're so sweet. I'm sure your dad loves you very much."

"Obviously!" Little Nina puffed up with pride. "My daddy's really tall and

handsome! Way more handsome than Daisy's dad. But he's so busy all the time. He never has time to drop me off at preschool, and none of the other kids even know I have a super handsome dad!"

It was a thought that had been weighing on her, a tiny knot in her heart.

Just remembering how long it had been since she'd last seen her father made her chest ache.

Monroe, I really miss my

eyes,

softly, "When your daddy finishes his work, he'll come home. You have to believe in him, Little Nina. Give him a little more

Little Nina looked up at Blair, her big eyes blinking. "Mr. Monroe, even though I haven't seen your face, you kind of remind

tensed at

I know you're not him," she continued. "My daddy's really, really handsome. And my mom and dad don't get along. If you were my daddy, my

a reply. "You're

opening

couldn't see his face, but something in his voice, the way he spoke, made her think

aside, pulling out her phone. She

hours," Cedric

fever's down. She's awake now. Blair's with

I didn't realize Little Nina

I. For some reason, she seems to trust him; and he seems to know exactly how to talk to her.

momentarily lost for

to reach out to her dad?