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

someone because you love the people

Stewart might try to approach, James scooped Little Nina up in his arms, finally

gave a dismissive snort, and turned to

Briony nodded.

them—so much like a happy

James's arms, Little Nina's bright eyes darted around, and suddenly she spotted Stewart. Her mouth formed

up out of nowhere when we were sketching last

and James

had seen Little Nina

They exchanged a glance.

did he

"He asked my name."

what did you say?"

Little Nina huffed, proud as could be. "I thought maybe he was a kidnapper-since I'm so cute, he might want to steal me away! So I talked really loud and called the teacher over. He was scared of her, and the second she

Briony was momentarily speechless.

scared of the

reveal who he was to Little Nina yet. But knowing

the car, Stewart closed his eyes and pinched the bridge

the rearview mirror. "Mr. Wentworth,

"Nothing

they're in the countryside. He showed promise early on, was taken as the last apprentice by Dr. Calloway, and

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

Carl froze.

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

keep investigating,

Ferdinand to me.