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.

deeply about Grandma Julia, and if Mama cared, so would

because you

try to approach, James scooped Little Nina up in his

a look, gave a dismissive snort, and

Briony nodded.

the three of them—so much like a happy

Nina's bright eyes darted around, and suddenly

that's the weird man who showed up out of

James both

seen Little

They exchanged a glance.

asked, "Sweetheart, did he

"He asked my name."

did you say?" Briony

so cute, he might want to steal me away! So I talked really loud and called

Briony was momentarily speechless.

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

finally relaxed on hearing the whole story. So Stewart hadn't managed to reveal who he was to Little

his eyes and pinched the bridge of his

in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Wentworth, I've just received word-Ferdinand's background has

frowned. "Nothing at

parents are still living, but they're in the countryside. He showed promise early on, was taken as the last apprentice by Dr. Calloway, and after Dr. Calloway passed, Ferdinand stayed and

what he wants people to see. The

Carl froze.

couldn't dig up a single real detail, just how deep did Ferdinand's secrets

keep

to me. I'll handle