Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony turned to look out the window as well.

Snow was falling again, thick and soft as down feathers drifting from the sky.

"Do you like the snow, Mario?" she asked gently.

Mario's voice was barely above a whisper. "Dad promised me. He said when it snowed in winter, he'd take me outside to build a snowman and have a snowball fight."

Briony felt her heart skip.

"Mom," Mario turned his solemn gaze to her, his eyes wide and searching, "is Dad ever coming back?"

She stared into her son's deep, dark eyes, suddenly at a loss for words.

It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing her heart.

She knew how sensitive Mario was. He must have sensed that Stewart was gone.

Mario spoke again, his voice quiet. "I actually knew Dad was sick. He said he went overseas to work, but I think... he really went to get treated. That's why he sent me to live with you."

Briony's nose stung with tears. "How did you know? Did Dad tell you?"

Mario shook his head. "He used to wake up at night and cough a lot. Mr. Clarke would come by all the time with his medical bag. Mom, they didn't have to say anything. I knew Dad was sick."

Briony couldn't hold back anymore. She pulled her son into her arms.

"Mom, is Dad... gone?"

him tightly, but no words of comfort would

looked up at her, his small face serious. "Dad taught me

now, and I should look after you and my sister,

Briony could barely breathe.

Her heart ached.

son had

just a child—not even five-why should

don't have to be strong. Even if Dad's not here anymore,

your dad... he's just left this world a little earlier than the rest of us. But he'll become a star

quietly. After a while,

Briony closed her eyes.

patted Mario's back. "How about I sing you a

beyond the window. "Mom, when I watch the snow,

Sdenly come back."

whispered, "maybe

his eyes, drifting off to sleep as his mother's

...

never

tell Nina the truth

she

sibling,

Mario didn't argue. Hee