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

small figure retreat, his

with Briony and

the middle, an arm wrapped gently

them a

little ones listened,

Briony turned off the lamp. "Alright now, close your

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

her big-sisterly

you can

his hands

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

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

a few lines before

par for the course-Briony was used

Mario, however, was

singing a gentle lullaby until Little Mario finally closed his eyes and drifted

his dreams, it felt as if he saw his

humming softly, and he called

silence, his small voice

then realized he was calling for his

peaceful face by the

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

Briony's heart melted.

sweet, gentle child... and yet he'd never known a mother's embrace from the moment he

to her own son so fragile, so tiny, who'd never even felt his mother's arms before he

breath caught. She bent to kiss Little Mario's forehead and whispered, "Sleep well, little

the fiddle from

her head, declaring Rosita hopelessly unmusical-learning a song in a week

He just asked Rosita to master the basic posture and

history and the basics

the remaining two days, Bill told Rosita to stay home and focus on her