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."

face darkened. "Jeannie is just the nanny I hired,

professional caretaker, why

a way no

just your wishful thinking. If my absence really mattered, then how come Irwin was perfectly fine

lips together, his dark eyes

shares to Little

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

for Little Nina from

picked up the folder and held it out to her. "Hold onto

you actually care about Little Nina? Is this your idea of fatherly love? Give her five percent of the company, and in retum expect her mother to care

silent

moment before he finally spoke. "I didn't think it through.

Please, just

laugh. "If you really mean it, give her ten

gaze lingered

stance was unyielding; there was no room

voice dropped. "Fine.

and send it

his grasp and

Stewart had pressured her to finish four years ago. She barely glanced at it and kept walking, never slowing

until she disappeared