Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Ever since Jeannie and Irwin returned from the hospital, the question of Irwin's origins had weighed heavily on both their minds.

To be honest, Jeannie's feelings had grown complicated since discovering Irwin's true identity.

On the one hand, she was relieved to learn Irwin wasn't Stewart's biological son. That meant if she married Stewart one day, any child she bore would be the rightful heir to the Wentworth family. Irwin, with his questionable parentage, would inevitably be cast aside.

Yet she couldn't help but worry-what if Stewart learned the truth and abandoned Irwin immediately? Then her own worth in the household would vanish entirely.

After weighing her options, Jeannie decided the secret had to be kept—at least until she became Stewart's wife. For now, Irwin's parentage had to remain hidden.

The next afternoon after school, Jeannie took Irwin out to dinner. She'd gone out of her way to book a private dining room at a quiet little bistro. After the food was served, the waiter closed the door softly behind him, leaving them alone.

Jeannie watched Irwin dig into his meal, her amber eyes crinkling with a gentle smile.

"Irwin, do you want to know what your teacher and your mom talked about yesterday?" she asked, her tone light and coaxing.

Irwin paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, and shook his head.

"Are you sure you don't want to know?" Jeannie pressed, her voice sweet as honey. "It's something important. About you."

up at

"Your teacher wasn't sure whether to tell you, honestly. This might be hard to

to fray. "Ms. Radcliffe, you're scaring

Your mom... she was so selfish. She actually

"Lied? My mom lied to my dad

voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're not really your dad's

face went pale with

too,"

hands trembled. "Ms. Radcliffe, I don't

merciless. "To put it simply, your dad believed you were the son of a close friend of his, but even that isn't true. Your mom lied to

your mom never

head, tears welling up

loves me. How could he not be my

fear and despair flood Irwin's face. She

If he ever finds out that's a

this is a secret.