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 nanny I hired, nothing

has his own professional caretaker, why are you forcing

to Irwin in a way no

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

lips together, his dark

giving these shares to Little Nina,

the table and turned to leave. Stewart

meant those shares for Little Nina from

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

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

silent by her

a long moment before he finally spoke.

Please, just accept the

gave a short, cold laugh. "If you really mean it, give

lingered

unyielding; there

his voice dropped.

up the new paperwork and

out of his grasp and

to finish four years ago. She barely glanced at it

until she disappeared from