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.

breezy, irreverent voice

set foot in the bar and Barrie Lockwood sniffed me out like a bloodhound. Honestly, Stewart, don't be surprised if I

nothing to take lightly. Stewart couldn't help but warn her, "Just be

Meanwhile, you enjoy your

Stewart froze.

details yet. Want me to

his eyes shut. "And I

thing. I'll let them know.

She hung up.

marred the

into sharp relief-thin lips pressed tight, jaw clenched, every breath

words looped

really pushed Briony Kensington this

Goddamn it.

really was

slumped, then gave way entirely; he slid down against

never crossed paths with her, Briony's life would never have

saw a

sink to the

eyes with

while his Adam's

painfully. He swallowed hard,

the bitterness

throat.