Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Little Nina's eyes darted around before finally landing on the figurine in Stewart's hand. After a moment's hesitation, she shook her head with surprising resolve.

"Even if you're my dad, I can't accept this gift."

Stewart was caught off guard, blinking in confusion.

It took him a while to find his voice. "Why not?"

"Because if you take someone's gift, you owe them a favor!" Little Nina raised her hand with a dramatic flourish, shaking her head as she let out a tiny, exaggerated sigh, looking every bit the miniature grown-up. "You're just trying to bribe me, and I'm not falling for it!"

Stewart: "..."

Garry, who'd been watching from the sidelines, burst into laughter.

James couldn't help but smile too. He ruffled Little Nina's hair and beamed with pride. "That's my girl! Keep that sharp mind of yours, sweetheart-no smooth- talking guy will ever trick you!"

"James." Carney scolded him, "Don't fill her head with nonsense. She's only four!"

James just shrugged. "Better to teach her how the world works early. Otherwise, it'll be too late once she's older. Look at Bryn..."

He shot Stewart a glance full of mock disapproval and shook his head with a sigh. "What a mess."

Carney: "..."

Garry lounged back on the sofa, his eyes nearly disappearing as he laughed.

Little Mario, seeing his dad so cheerful for the first time, blinked his big, dark eyes and then broke into a goofy smile of his own.

"Hey!" Little Nina cried out, pointing at Little Mario in delight. "He's smiling! Little Mario, you're so cute when you smile!"

instant, her attention shifted from Stewart to

behind, grabbing Little Mario's hand and pulling him over to

Mario, give me another smile! If you do, I'll

Little Mario: "Okay!"

you went to

Little Mario: "Cute!"

grown-ups couldn't help but

was encouraging Little Mario

his daughter's sweet, childish voice echoing in his

hand, his eyes dark

...

grocery store was just a short walk

at the thought of Stewart still being

her. "Don't worry. James and your godfather are there do you really think Stewart could just take off

worried about what he might say to her." "Your little girl is clever as can be. Trust me, Stewart doesn't stand a chance." Gwendolyn let out a gentle

"It's just... court is in two days. Stewart showing up now, it's obvious he's after Little

free from Stewart as soon as possible. But he's still Little Nina's biological father. Even if you get divorced, he has the right to see his child. That's just the way it is—and you

her lips

She understood, of course.

if Little Nina wanted to

deep. They can't

couldn't face the reality. It was that she

get divorced because you're eager to meet someone new?" Briony was momentarily taken aback, then shook her head. "No, that's not

if you're not rushing into a second

And as long as you're still married, Little Nina is still

Briony paused.

get divorced. But even with Mr. Chadwick helping you, if Stewart really digs in his heels, this could drag on for ages. Are you really going to

her frown slowly