Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"I'm going to find Stewart."

Rosita's face was tense, her eyes red and swollen, as if she'd been crying

moments before. "Mom, if I don't go now, Ms. Kensington is going to take Stewart from me!"

"What's going on?"

"I'll explain when I get back. Zack, get the car."

Zack hurried off to the garage to bring the car around.

Rosita rushed outside, practically throwing herself into the back seat.

As Lauren watched the car disappear down the drive, she grew increasingly uneasy. She called for a housekeeper to keep an eye on the kids, then hurried back into the house herself.

At the hospital, in Dr. Cedric Clarke's private office.

Stewart stood by the window, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, inhaling silently, one drag after another.

He wasn't much of a smoker-hardly ever, really.

But since he'd walked in, he'd already finished two cigarettes.

And it hadn't even been ten minutes.

Cedric finally had enough. When Stewart reached for a third, Cedric strode over, snatched the pack from his hand, and tossed it straight into the trash.

can't smoke

scowled, his cold gaze flicking

Cedric hated that look.

a chimney today, but it still wouldn't change

a short, bitter laugh—a

you think I'm

eyes. "Yeah, you are. I don't care how many excuses you

years of marriage, and

lowering. "No wonder

Cedric frowned. "What question?"

the coast, she asked me, 'Stewart, do you know what

that," Cedric replied, puzzled. "But what about

as his voice tightened, "She also lost a child I never even got to meet." His throat worked as he swallowed hard. "That's why

Cedric fell silent.

had already filled in all the blanks

voice turned cold, almost cruel. "Maybe that was

wrong with you? That was your

the truth." Stewart stared out the

"Stewart!"

by the collar, his voice breaking with anger. "Say that again and I'll knock some sense into you! That was your own child! Even if

But Stewart didn't flinch.