Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

At the airport, Briony greeted the two elders with a warm smile.

Gwendolyn White looked her up and down, concern creasing her brow. "Your face is so pale, darling. Have you been skipping meals and losing sleep again?"

Briony gave a helpless little shrug. "Godmother, it's just the cold weather."

"I don't believe it—you've gotten thinner. You never seem to tire when you throw yourself into work. James told me you opened another studio last week. You're running the company, juggling the gallery, and now a new studio too. Bryn, you're not exactly strapped for cash. Why push yourself so hard?"

"James does tend to exaggerate," Briony replied, looping her arm through Gwendolyn's with a gentle smile. "Really, I'm doing what I love. Every day feels full—my life is just the way I want it. Isn't that a good thing?"

Gwendolyn sighed, knowing she couldn't win this argument, and just repeated her advice. "You need to find a balance, sweetheart. Don't wear yourself out and undo all the progress you made during those four years in the countryside!"

Briony nodded, still smiling. "I know my limits. I promise."

They headed back from the airport to Skybreeze Retreat. The moment they stepped inside, Little Nina came racing across the foyer. "Grandma! Grandpa!"

"Oh my goodness, look how much you've grown!" Gwendolyn knelt down, cupping Nina's cheeks and kissing her again and again. "Did you miss Grandma?"

little voice was as sweet as ever. "Grandma, did you miss

course Grandma missed you, my darling!" Gwendolyn reached into her bag and pulled out four gift boxes-two for Little Nina, two for little Mario. "These are presents from Grandpa and Grandma. We wish our two little angels a healthy, happy year

Grandma! Thank you, Grandpa!" little Mario piped

you, Grandpa!" Nina echoed, hugging her

softened as she

first time they'd met, he was shy and withdrawn-a thin, fragile little boy who tugged at the

imagined he was Briony's lost child, the

mother and son had finally found each other. Now, with Briony by his side, Mario was

at him, the more she saw Stewart's features

brought a pang of sadness to Gwendolyn's heart. So young, gone too soon. For a child, that was a sorrow that could never fully

from the market, their arms full of groceries for the holidays. When

was now living a normal life. She and

countryside, and with Brionndat

married a few days