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!"

and blew

managed to snuff out

little Mario. "There's two left!

Mario looked

warmly at him.

pout, then blew

Out went the flames!

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

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

threw her arms around little Mario and planted a big

in mock despair, but it was

left a big smooch mark right

his face in his hands, so dramatically pained he couldn't even

blinked in confusion, looking utterly baffled and adorable-the kind of look that sent all

exchange, her eyes

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

didn't work that

gaze, turned, and slipped into

Garry's eyes followed her.

a cold look, scoffing under his

sink, water running.

The kitchen door opened.

away and turned, trying to act

eyes and sighed. "Don't even try to laugh it off. If

Briony froze.

Nina's birthday, you sneak away to cry. Did you really think we

dropped her gaze,

wait until Nina's asleep, then drink alone. Last year, you passed

had to call me to carry you to