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 her. "About

to tell you, honestly. This might be hard to

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

"Poor Irwin. Your mom... she was so selfish. She actually lied

wide. "Lied? My mom lied to

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

went pale with

always known, too," she

small hands trembled. "Ms.

of a close friend of his, but even that isn't true. Your mom lied to him. As for who

your mom never

his head, tears welling up in

loves me. How could he

the fear and despair flood Irwin's face. She smiled sweetly, but each word

friend's child. If he ever finds out that's a lie, he won't treat

table, her voice low and urgent. "Irwin, this is a secret. Right now, only you, your mom,