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."

back at Stewart before

son's small figure retreat, his fists

night, Little Mario slept with

lay in the middle, an arm wrapped gently

she read them a bedtime

little

the lamp. "Alright now, close your eyes

the lullaby tonight!" Little Nina piped up, all traces of the earlier scene

was determined to fulfill her big-sisterly duties by singing her brother to

you can

clapped his

closer. He'd become much more outgoing lately- especially after their recent time together. It was a

the dim room, Little Nina's sweet, childish voice floated

got through a few lines

was par for the course-Briony was used to

however, was still

Briony took over, singing a gentle lullaby until Little Mario finally

felt as if

and he

his small

started, then realized he

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

smile curving his lips-he must have been having

Briony's heart melted.

known a mother's embrace from

to her own son so fragile, so tiny, who'd

bent to kiss Little Mario's forehead and whispered, "Sleep well,

three days learning the fiddle from Gwendolyn

hopelessly unmusical-learning a song in a week was out of

Rosita to master the basic posture and a

day to explaining the instrument's history and the basics of the mandolin as

days, Bill told Rosita