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

figure retreat,

slept with Briony and

time, Briony lay in the middle, an arm wrapped

she read them a

little ones listened,

she finished, Briony turned off the lamp. "Alright now, close

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

fulfill her big-sisterly duties by singing her brother to

can sing the

clapped his

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

sweet, childish voice floated through

few

for the course-Briony was used

Mario, however, was still

lullaby until Little Mario finally closed his

it felt as if he saw

he called out to her,

the silence, his small voice murmured

realized he was calling

face by the moonlight filtering through the

curving his

Briony's heart melted.

he'd never known a mother's embrace

her own son so fragile, so tiny, who'd never

Mario's forehead and whispered,

had spent three days learning the fiddle from Gwendolyn

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

this, didn't push her. He just asked Rosita to master the basic posture and a few facts about

instrument's history and the

the remaining two days, Bill told Rosita to stay