Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

At eight-thirty that evening, Stewart returned to Sunset Ridge Villas.

Irwin had just finished his homework. Hearing the familiar sound of the car in the driveway, he looked up at Jeannie and asked, "I think Dad's home, isn't he?"

"That's right." Jeannie smiled, ruffling his hair. "Let's go down and say hi to your father."

"Okay!"

As Irwin and Jeannie made their way downstairs, Stewart was already settled on the sofa.

"Dad!" Irwin dashed over to him.

Stewart paused in the middle of rubbing his temples, then looked up at Irwin and offered a faint smile. "Done with your homework?"

"Yep!" Irwin frowned with concern. "Dad, is something wrong? Did work tire you out again?"

"I'm fine." Stewart patted the seat next to him. "Come sit with me for a while."

Irwin nodded and took a seat beside his father.

Jeannie walked over, her voice warm with cheer. "Mr. Wentworth, I made some nourishing soup in the kitchen. I'll bring some out for you and Irwin to have before bed."

Stewart pinched the bridge of his nose again and gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

Jeannie turned and headed to the kitchen, humming contentedly to herself.

"Dad, when are Mom Bryn and my little sister coming home?" Irwin asked.

hair, but didn't answer the question. Instead, he

how it

him, his

Irwin for the first time. The next

he came home, he'd brought Irwin a small

had come to him first, apologized, and promised

only made Stewart

courage to apologize largely thanks to

painfully aware of Irwin's lack of

Briony had

Vel

place of a mother. Deep down, Irwin still longed for the wholeness of a family-both

of completeness... could it

eyes, wrestling with the

he could almost hear that familiar

Look, here's the ultrasound. That little shape is mine

girl, I'll

dresses. If it's a boy,

learns to be strong

so he can do something great

no way back for me... Please, take care of Rosita and

Stewart's eyes snapped open. His lips pressed into a tight line; his breaths came

was watching him, worry etched on his small

turned to

with himself

speaking. "If I