Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

So it was all about Irwin.

Briony wasn't surprised at least, not really.

"What have I ever done to him?" she said with a faint laugh. "Don't make it sound like I've been cruel or something."

Stewart sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. "Irwin's actually quite sensitive. Briony, I know you hold grudges against me and against Rosita, but Irwin is innocent in all this."

Briony's gaze was icy. "Innocent? And what, my son deserved what happened to him?"

"That's not what I meant."

Stewart's brow furrowed. "I get that you're angry, and you can take it all out on me

if you want. But can't you show Irwin a little more care? For the sake of his real father?"

Briony's eyes narrowed.

Of course Stewart would pull that move. When persuasion failed, he'd even invoke Irwin's heroic father for sympathy.

"Stewart, I respect heroes. But I'm just a mother who lost her child. I'm petty and small-minded—I can't possibly understand your grand generosity."

"The best I can do is not take out my pain on Irwin. But if you expect me to treat him as my own, that's simply impossible."

"You don't have to treat him like your own," Stewart said quietly. "Just... show him a little kindness."

"I don't do fake kindness," Briony replied coldly, her eyes never leaving his. "If you want someone who's good at coddling his feelings, maybe Jeannie's your best bet."

is just the

since he has his own professional caretaker, why

Irwin in a way no one

my absence really mattered, then how

pressed his lips together, his dark eyes steady

not truly giving these shares to Little Nina, then

set the documents back on the table and turned to leave. Stewart caught her by the

meant those shares for Little Nina

and held it out to her. "Hold onto them for her,

actually care about Little Nina? Is this your idea of fatherly love? Give her five percent of

was struck silent

a long moment before he finally spoke. "I didn't think

said about Irwin. Please, just accept

gave a short, cold laugh. "If you really mean it, give her ten percent-no

lingered

stance was unyielding; there was no room for

his voice dropped. "Fine. Ten percent. No

Draw up the new paperwork and

arm out of his grasp

to finish four

followed her until