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?"

hugged him tightly, but no words of comfort

her, his small face serious.

house now, and I should look after you and my sister, work hard at school, and one day

Briony could barely breathe.

Her heart ached.

had known

child—not even five-why should

if Dad's not here anymore, I can give

little earlier than the rest of

Nina cuddled against Briony, nodding quietly. After a while, she asked, "Mom, do you

Briony closed her eyes.

back. "How about I sing you

out at the snowflakes falling beyond the window.

Sdenly come back."

"maybe tonight Dad will visit

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

...

that day, Mario never mentioned his father

tell Nina the truth

believed she

sibling,

Mario didn't argue. Hee