Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Stewart said nothing. He just cast a faint glance at James, then turned to Briony. "You're still going through with the divorce?"

Briony caught the edge of a threat in his tone.

Sure enough, his next words came cold and sharp: "Briony, we have a daughter. You shouldn't be so stubborn."

Briony let out a mocking laugh. "Four years ago, it was all about Irwin. Now, after all this time, you're using our daughter?"

"Irwin's different now. Jeannie Radcliffe's done a good job raising him-he's much more mature."

Briony almost found it funny.

"Stewart, what am I to you, really? Is tormenting me the only thing that makes you feel alive?"

Stewart frowned, about to retort, but just then, the teacher came out with the children.

Briony ignored him, turning away with James to look for Little Nina.

The moment Little Nina spotted them, she bounded over, grinning from ear to ear.

"Mama! Uncle James!"

Briony knelt down, gathering her daughter into her arms and planting a kiss on her soft, chubby cheek. "Did you miss me, sweetheart?"

"I missed you so much!" Little Nina kissed Briony's cheek in return, her eyes shining. "Mama, is Grandma Julia feeling any better?"

During the days Briony was caring for Julia, Gwendolyn White and the others had explained to Little Nina who Julia was.

Though she'd never met Julia, Little Nina understood: Grandma Julia was Mama's birth mother, her family-and that made her Little Nina's family, too.

cared deeply about Grandma Julia, and

called that: loving someone because you love the people

scooped Little Nina up in

a look, gave a dismissive snort, and turned to Briony.

Briony nodded.

watched the three of them—so much

darted around, and suddenly she spotted

man who showed up out of nowhere

James

had seen Little

They exchanged a glance.

"Sweetheart, did he say

"He asked my name."

did you say?"

he might want to steal me away! So I talked really loud and called the teacher over. He was scared of

Briony was momentarily speechless.

"He was scared of the teacher? That's my

story. So Stewart hadn't managed to reveal who he was to Little Nina

car, Stewart closed his eyes and pinched

mirror. "Mr. Wentworth, I've just received word-Ferdinand's background has been checked, but

frowned. "Nothing at

in the countryside. He showed promise early on, was taken as the last apprentice by Dr.

"That's just what he wants people to see. The part

Carl froze.

a single real detail, just how deep did

we keep investigating,

me. I'll handle