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!"

blew

managed

"There's two left! Will you blow them

Mario looked

at him. "Go on, if you'd

Nina's pout, then blew

Out went the flames!

amazing!" Little Nina clapped enthusiastically, her

sparkled. He joined her, clapping his little hands, a wide grin revealing a few pearly baby

Nina threw her arms around little Mario and planted a big kiss on

Nina!" James cried out in mock despair, but it

big smooch mark

his face in his hands, so

confusion, looking utterly baffled and adorable-the kind of

watched the sweet exchange, her eyes

still alive, she'd get to

life didn't work that

turned, and slipped into the

Garry's eyes followed her.

look, scoffing under his breath

running. The gushing sound masked her quiet

The kitchen door opened.

away and turned, trying to act casual when she saw James. "What's up? Need

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

Briony froze.

year on Little Nina's birthday, you sneak away to cry. Did you really think

dropped her gaze, pressing her lips

Nina's asleep, then

the balcony and Mrs. Winslow had to call me to carry you