Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Daddy..."

"Nina!"

Mario hurried over and grabbed his little sister's hand.

"Mario, do you think Daddy's sick?"

Mario didn't look at Stewart Wentworth. Instead, he used his small body to block Nina's view.

“Nina, I've got a brand new toy. It's really cool-come on, I'll show you, okay?"

"A new toy?" Nina's eyes lit up. She immediately forgot her worries, bouncing with excitement. "I want to see! Show me!"

Mario led her inside, their voices fading down the hallway.

Out in the dark, Stewart's coughing finally eased.

The handkerchief in his hand was stained with bright red.

He tossed it into the trash, turned, and walked quickly back into the house. He headed straight for the bedroom, then into the bathroom.

He twisted on the faucet and rinsed out his mouth.

The water swirling in the sink went from a vivid red to faint pink. Gradually, the metallic taste faded from his tongue, and his ragged breathing slowed.

When the water shut off, Stewart looked up at his reflection in the mirror.

His face was ghostly pale, faint shadows ringing his eyes. He'd lost weight lately, making his features look even sharper, almost severe.

phone buzzed in

Lorna Riley.

irreverent voice crackled through the

out like a

take lightly. Stewart couldn't help

good news. Meanwhile, you enjoy your stay-at-home-dad routine. Oh, and one more thing I heard from my guy this afternoon.

Stewart froze.

Want me to

He squeezed his eyes

them know. Gotta

She hung up.

marred the back of his

light threw his features into sharp relief-thin lips pressed tight,

words looped

Briony Kensington this

Goddamn it.

was a

gave way entirely; he slid down

If he'd never crossed paths with her, Briony's

saw a therapist

sink

his eyes with a

while his Adam's

painfully. He swallowed hard,

bitterness rising

throat.