Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony got off work early today-she was home before five.

The moment she saw the black Mercedes in the driveway, she paused, immediately guessing Stewart had arrived.

Stepping inside, she found Stewart crouched on the floor with his back to the door, both kids clinging to him.

The late summer sun streamed through the open doorway, casting a warm, golden glow over the three of them—a quiet, tender scene.

Stewart's white shirt stretched over his straight back; maybe he was thinner than before, the outline of his shoulder blades faintly visible beneath the fabric.

Briony stopped in her tracks, choosing not to interrupt.

It was Little Nina who spotted her first. She wriggled free from Stewart's embrace and came running. "Mommy!"

Briony knelt down to greet her daughter, pressing a gentle kiss to her soft, round cheek.

Stewart let go of their son, standing up to face her. "You've had a lot on your plate these last few days."

Briony released Nina and rose to meet his gaze. "Looking after them is what any mother would do."

Stewart swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing. At this point, he didn't dare hope for any lingering affection from Briony. That she could speak to him calmly, without resentment, felt like a gift in itself.

A few paces separated them as they stood there, eyes locked, both so composed.

about his failing health-nor that this fragile peace, which moved him so deeply, was Briony's final

no point raking over old wounds with a man whose days

scene was so quietly

at Briony's pinky. "Mommy,

"I don't mind, but you should check if Daddy's free." "Daddy told me to ask you

tapped her daughter's nose. "How many nights do

Nina held up three little fingers. "I promise I'll

how readily she said

lingered on her, intensity in his

even. "I've paused

they'll be home and

all day and

you

manage?"

curved in a faint smile. "I'm between jobs. I've got

say anything more. "I'll

"Okay," Stewart replied.

Stella followed Briony upstairs.

holding her son, watching