Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"If you go back, Mom, I'll go back too!"

Briony smiled. "Won't you miss your friends here?"

"Of course I will!" Little Nina pouted. "But the one I'll miss the most is Mr. Ellsworth!"

Briony gave a helpless laugh. "I'm sure Mr. Ellsworth would be touched to hear that."

"He'll miss me too, I just know it!" Little Nina's voice grew a little wistful. "Oh, just thinking about not seeing Mr. Ellsworth all the time makes me so sad!"

Briony felt a tangle of emotions herself.

But she knew all too well-Stewart's patience was wearing thin.

The next day was Saturday, and Little Nina stayed in bed, not waking up until eight.

Once up, she brushed her teeth and washed her face by herself, then picked out a puffy pink-and-purple dress.

When she couldn't reach the zipper, she headed downstairs for help.

"Mom, I can't zip up my dress!"

Stewart had just come in from outside when he saw his daughter coming down from the second floor, dressed up like a tiny princess.

Hearing her complaint, Stewart raised an eyebrow and beckoned her over. "Come here, I'll help."

Little Nina stopped a few steps away, looking at him across the room.

After a few seconds, she gave a little "hmph," spun around, and dashed off toward the kitchen.

Stewart watched her small, stubborn figure disappear, lips pressed in a thin line.

and Carney away on business, it was

settled into the living room sofa, making himself

came out of the kitchen. Breakfast wasn't ready yet, so she just glanced at Stewart in the living room, pouted, and wandered over to play with her

never liked

wasn't

was just impossible to get along

he spoke to her, his voice was stiff, and

who prided herself on her

example. Little Nina had been enjoying

glanced at the cookies and

She offered him one.

shook his head, expressionless.

Little Nina: "...Oh."

Silence.

And now-same thing.

She was when

came over, sat

aying with her puzzle

and asked,

"Yeah, do you want to

belongs to swnow

"No, you go

Little Nina: "...Oh."

Silence again.

Little Nina pouted, fuming.

needs a

so cold and distant. She was cute and lively-why would she