Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

She knelt down slowly, her fingertips tracing the black-and-white photograph of Mary set into the gravestone.

"Mary, the hospital called this morning. They said the baby's out of danger. In a few days, she'll be well enough to come home. Don't worry, I'll raise her as my own. You don't have to fear she'll be alone in the world-I promise, I'll love her like she's mine..."

In the photo, Mary's smile bloomed, vivid and full of life.

Briony gently brushed her fingers over Mary's eyes. "Oh, Mary... You left us so suddenly, you didn't even get to meet your little girl. When she's a bit older, I'll bring her to visit you. I promise."

After she returned from the cemetery, Briony fell ill.

A low fever left her drifting in and out of sleep for two days.

During that time, Kendal stopped by, brought her some medicine, and even performed acupuncture to help her recover.

Two days later, Briony's fever broke.

On the third day, it was time for Lori to come home from the hospital.

Carol, a professional nanny, had already discussed things with Briony. From now on, Carol would help take care of Lori.

Early that morning, Briony and Carol went to the hospital together to bring Lori home.

gave them a list of instructions and had Briony sign the discharge papers.

tiny baby, and already she'd been through so

now-soft and warm in Briony's arms, sleeping

into Stewart just as he was dropping

his eyes over the bundle in her arms, gave him a polite nod, then

the car door

arms, waved a quick goodbye to their dad and

quiet sigh, slipped into the driver's seat,

villa, Briony settled onto the sofa with Lori in her lap. Little Nina and little Mario squeezed in

eyes sparkled as she asked, "Mom,

"Her name is Lori. From now on, she's

surprise. "We were only gone a few days, and now we

up, "If Mom's the same, the dad must be the same

the whole time! When did he have time to help Mom with a new

Briony was speechless.

looked like Lori's story would take a

preschool now. Briony knew that, if