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."

Mario nodded, glancing back at

small figure retreat,

night, Little Mario slept with

in the middle, an arm wrapped gently around each

read them

little ones

she finished, Briony turned off the lamp. "Alright now, close your eyes and go

piped up, all

to fulfill her big-sisterly duties by

you can sing the

Mario clapped his hands

He'd become much more outgoing lately- especially

room, Little Nina's sweet,

through a few lines

the

however, was still

until Little

felt as if

he called out to her,

small voice murmured in his

started, then realized he was calling for

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

was deeply asleep, a faint smile curving his lips-he must

Briony's heart melted.

gentle child... and yet he'd never known

fragile, so tiny, who'd never even felt his mother's

to kiss Little Mario's forehead and

fiddle from Gwendolyn White

declaring Rosita hopelessly unmusical-learning a song in a week

her. He just asked Rosita to

day to explaining the instrument's history and the

told Rosita to