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.

Grandma Julia, and if Mama cared,

loving someone because you love the

Nina up in his

dismissive snort, and turned to Briony.

Briony nodded.

the three of them—so much like a

James's arms, Little Nina's bright eyes darted around,

weird man who showed up out of nowhere when we were sketching

James

seen Little

They exchanged a glance.

asked, "Sweetheart, did he say anything

"He asked my name."

did you say?" Briony

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

Briony was momentarily speechless.

scared of the teacher? That's my

Stewart hadn't managed to reveal who he was to Little Nina yet. But knowing Stewart,

the car, Stewart closed his eyes and

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

"Nothing at

early on, was taken as the last

lips curled in a cold, humorless smile. "That's just what he wants people to see. The

Carl froze.

a single real detail, just

keep investigating, Mr.

to me.