Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Stewart couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The kids were so thoughtful. They could tell he was feeling down and were trying

their best to cheer him up.

But deep down, Stewart knew the truth: Briony would never have invited him to

stay at Pearbrook Mansion of her own accord. It was only because the kids had

begged, and she couldn't bear to disappoint them, that she'd agreed.

The reality was, in Briony's eyes, Stewart no longer belonged under this roof.

A dull ache settled in his chest.

He told himself he had no right to ask about Briony's personal life anymore, but

the thought of her and Maynard spending the night together at the Windsor made

jealousy twist inside him anyway.

Maynard's pursuit of Briony was anything but subtle—bold, open, and relentless.

Now, with the two of them working together, they had every excuse to be around

each other all the time.

Stewart couldn't help but wonder: with Maynard coming on so strong, how long

could Briony hold her ground?

He looked at his two children—so perceptive and mature for their age—and

closed his eyes, silent.

The idea that Briony might let another man into her life tore at him, but he knew,

clear as day, he had lost the right to say anything about it.

Maybe this was the ending he and Briony were meant to have.

He'd have to learn to bury his love so deep it would never see daylight again—let

it wither, quietly, until his heart stopped beating.

That night, Stewart stayed over.

By nine o'clock he was tucked into bed with the kids, watching them play and

giggle, though his mind kept wandering back to Briony's face.

He hated himself for it, but he couldn't resist nudging his little girl. "Why don't you

call your mom, Nina? See if she'll pick up?"

Nina's eyes lit up. "Okay!" She grabbed Stewart's phone and dialed Briony's video

chat.

No answer.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

Nina pouted. "Do you think Mommy's asleep already?"

Stewart pressed his lips together.

Maybe Briony had seen his name on the screen and decided not to answer, he

thought bitterly.

Mario chimed in, pulling out his own kiddie smartwatch. "I'll call her, Dad!"

He dialed. The call rang and rang, but no one picked up.

Mario tried again.

Finally, after an eternity, someone answered—but it wasn't Briony. Maynard's

voice came through the speaker. "Mario?"

Mario froze, staring at his watch in disbelief.

Why was Mr. Maynard answering his mom's phone?

He glanced up at Stewart, bewildered.

Stewart's jaw tightened as he fixed his gaze on Mario's smartwatch, a storm

brewing behind his eyes.

The air in the room grew thick.

Nina scooted closer to the watch, her tiny voice piping up, "Mr. Maynard, where's

my mom?"

"She's in the shower," Maynard replied, sounding far too relaxed. "It's past nine,

shouldn't you two be in bed?"

"Oh, we're about to! We're waiting for Daddy to finish our bedtime story," Nina

answered brightly, making sure to add, "and then we'll go right to sleep!"

Maynard paused. "Your dad's there tonight?"

"Yep!" Nina grinned, proud as could be. "Mom said he could stay, so Daddy's here

with us!"

Maynard let out a low chuckle.

"That's great—having your dad there

means your mom and I don't have to

worry about you. Now, you two

listen to your dad and go to sleep

soon, okay?"

Nina blinked. Something about what

Maynard said sounded off, but shenoveldrama

couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She scratched her forehead. "Mr.

Maynard, will you tell Mommy we

called?"

"Of course. I'll let her know. Goodnight, Nina. Goodnight, Mario."

"Goodnight, Mr. Maynard!" Nina chirped.

The call ended, and both kids turned to look at Stewart, their big dark eyes

shining with worry and sympathy.

For a grown man in his thirties, Stewart had never felt smaller than under the gaze

of his not-quite-six-year-old children.

He let out a heavy breath, rubbing his brow. "Daddy's fine, don't worry."

Nina pressed her chubby fingers

together, thinking hard. "Grown-ups

like to act tough. Uncle James says

men never cry when they're

sad—they just bleed inside where no

one can see."

Stewart: "..."

What on earth has James been teaching these kids?