Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Once inside, she realized Stewart wasn't downstairs.

"Irwin, go up to your room and start your homework."

"Okay." Irwin trudged up the stairs, backpack slung over his shoulder, clearly in a foul mood.

Jeannie, on the other hand, was practically buzzing with excitement. She hurried back to her room to touch up her makeup and spritzed herself with perfume before stepping out again.

As she left her room, Stewart emerged from his study at the same moment.

"Mr. Wentworth," Jeannie called, walking over with a bright smile. "Just finished working?"

The moment she approached, a wave of overpowering floral fragrance hit him.

Stewart's eyebrows knit together, and his voice stayed cool. "Where's Irwin?" Jeannie answered sweetly, "He's in his room, working on his homework!" Without another word, Stewart headed straight for Irwin's room.

Jeannie, unwilling to give up so easily, trailed behind.

Stewart paused outside Irwin's door, glancing back at her. "I haven't had dinner yet. Could you go downstairs and make me some pasta? Something light."

"Of course!" Jeannie replied, her heart fluttering as she turned and hurried down the stairs.

Stewart watched her go, his gaze growing distant and troubled.

Then he opened the door and stepped inside.

wasn't doing homework at all. He was slumped

"Irwin?"

the room and gently patted his head. "Why

jumped, startled, and scrambled to his

studying the boy's anxious face, his eyes narrowing slightly.

gaze darted

wrong, you

voice barely above

course," Stewart said, ruffling Irwin's hair with his big hand. "Why do you ask all of

head, forcing a smile. "Just wondered, that's all.

sat

and pointed vaguely at a

began explaining

kept getting distracted, clearly not himself. Stewart noticed, but chose not to press

came up to

told her to stay with

but all she

the dining table sat a beautifully plated bowl of pasta, the carrots carved into little heart

stared at it for a moment, lost

Carl. "I need you to look into Irwin's