Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Her daughter's tiny fists rained down on him, light as falling raindrops-nothing that could possibly hurt.

Yet to Stewart, every little punch landed squarely on his heart.

He stared at his daughter in stunned silence, his grip on Briony's hand loosening bit by bit.

The forceful air he'd carried just moments ago had vanished completely.

Briony gently pulled her hand free and bent to scoop Little Nina into her arms.

Holding her daughter close, her voice gentle and soothing, Briony whispered, "Don't worry, Little Nina. Mommy's okay."

Little Nina threw her arms tightly around Briony's neck, glaring fiercely at Stewart with all the indignation a four-year-old could muster. "A real gentleman never bullies a lady. Shame on you!"

Stewart watched his daughter, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.

He wanted to say something, to comfort her somehow, but Little Nina had already buried her angry face into the crook of Briony's neck.

"Mommy, I don't like him!" she declared, her voice trembling with both outrage and the threat of tears.

Briony's heart ached.

Little Nina was usually so cheerful, so optimistic, but she was only four. Watching her parents argue-seeing things escalate-must have been terrifying for her.

Briony couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt for letting her temper get the better of her and scaring her child.

She stroked her daughter's back tenderly, fixing Stewart with a cold stare. "You should leave. Don't come to Skybreeze Retreat again."

Stewart pressed his lips together, his dark eyes locked on Briony.

After a moment, he gave a low, defeated reply. "Alright."

Briony turned away, carrying her daughter inside.

Little Mario stood frozen at the doorway.

As Briony passed, she spoke softly to him, "Little Mario, it's getting late. Let's go upstairs and get ready for bed."

at Stewart before

retreat, his fists clenching

with

time, Briony lay in the middle, an arm wrapped gently around each

she read them a bedtime

two little ones

turned off the lamp. "Alright now,

up, all traces of the earlier scene forgotten. Children, after all,

her big-sisterly duties by singing her brother to

smiled. "Alright, tonight you can sing the lullaby for

his hands

more outgoing lately- especially after their

Little Nina's sweet, childish

only got through a few lines before nodding off

par for the course-Briony was

was still wide

singing a gentle lullaby until

as

he called out to her,

the silence, his small voice murmured

he was

looked down, catching Little Mario's peaceful face by the moonlight filtering

deeply asleep, a faint smile curving his lips-he must have been having

Briony's heart melted.

never known a

so tiny, who'd

She bent to kiss Little Mario's forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, little one. You're safe

from Gwendolyn White and could

a song in a week was out

her. He just asked Rosita to master the basic posture and a few facts

another day to explaining the instrument's history and the basics of

two days, Bill told Rosita to stay home and focus