Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Bryn, have some more." Gwendolyn White reached over and placed a piece of beef on Briony's plate.

Briony snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Gwendolyn.

Gwendolyn gave her hand a gentle pat and lowered her voice. "Don't stare, sweetheart."

Briony nodded, picked up the beef, and put it in her mouth.

She stopped glancing at little Mario, but the food tasted like nothing in her mouth.

Garry kept an eye on little Mario while chatting and sharing drinks with Carney. Every so often, he shot a look in Briony's direction.

Briony stayed quiet, head down, focusing on her meal.

Dinner finally wrapped up around eight.

At half past eight, Briony brought out the cake and set it on the table.

This time, she'd made an Elsa-themed cake-Little Nina's absolute favorite.

The adults gathered around as Little Nina, wearing a tiny crown, pressed her hands together and made a wish, looking every bit the little princess.

She muttered under her breath, her words so soft that no one caught what she wished for.

When she finished, Little Nina grabbed little Mario's hand. "Let's blow out the candles together!"

Candlelight flickered in little Mario's dark eyes.

He blinked, still and silent, not saying a word.

James moved the cake closer to the kids. "Come on, once the candles are out, all

our princess's wishes will come true!"

puckered up and blew hard

breath, she managed to snuff

to little Mario. "There's two left! Will you blow them

Mario looked up at

warmly at him. "Go on,

imitating Little Nina's pout,

Out went the flames!

Mario, you're amazing!" Little Nina clapped enthusiastically, her

joined her, clapping his little

Nina threw her arms around little Mario and planted a big

cried out in mock despair, but

left a big smooch mark

in his hands, so dramatically pained

utterly baffled and adorable-the kind of look that sent all the adults into fits of

the sweet exchange,

only her brother were still alive, she'd get to see scenes like this every

life didn't work

dropped her gaze, turned, and slipped

Garry's eyes followed her.

look, scoffing under his breath before heading after

at the sink, water running.

The kitchen door opened.

and turned, trying to act casual when

her red-rimmed eyes and sighed. "Don't even try to laugh it off. If you want to cry,

Briony froze.

birthday, you sneak away to cry. Did you really think

dropped her gaze, pressing

until Nina's asleep, then drink alone.

Winslow had to call me to carry you