Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Steam curled gently above the bathtub, where Little Nina sat with her knees hugged to her chest, idly swirling a rubber duck through the bubbles.

"Don't you like that man?" Briony asked, kneeling beside the tub, her hands scrubbing Nina's back in gentle circles.

"Like him?" Nina wrinkled her nose. "Why would I like him?"

Briony paused, glancing up to meet her daughter's eyes.

Nina tipped her round head, lips pursed in thought. "Just because he's my dad, am I supposed to like him? I don't even know him! I have no idea if he's a good dad or not, so why should I like him?"

Briony fell silent, lost for words.

"Leo's dad hits his mom," Nina continued, her tone matter-of-fact. "And Leo even saw him hugging and kissing another lady. Leo told his mom, and then she and his dad had a huge fight, and then his dad hit her... Leo says he hates his dad, because his dad treats his mom horribly."

Nina blew a handful of bubbles from her palm and looked up at Briony with wide, earnest eyes.

"Mom, if he was good to you, you wouldn't dislike him, right? You're such a kind person—if you don't like him, he must have been awful to you!"

Briony stared at her, stunned by the child's logic.

you badly, then I don't want to

reached out and stroked her daughter's damp hair. "But what if he's good

good to me, does that mean I

could only smile

want to like him yet." Nina scooped up her rubber duck, launching into

presents, every time he visits. I keep telling him it's not necessary, but he still does it. What am I supposed to do with so many toys? It's such a waste of money!

between

Stewart-the father who had suddenly appeared in her life—she wanted to make her

you ever going to get back together with him?" Nina asked suddenly, her eyes bright

thoughts and smiled, shaking her head. "No, sweetheart. We're

what if—" Nina's voice turned earnest, "I mean, if

my dad, and I decide he's alright and

"Of course not."

Briony caressed her daughter's

"Just because your dad and