Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony was caught off guard.

She'd thought that on their first New Year's together as a family, Stewart would

make it a priority.

He'd said he was busy... but on New Year's Eve, there was no way he was caught

up with work.

It had to be something personal.

Briony felt a pang of suspicion, but decided not to press him further.

"All right, let's eat," she said, taking the hands of her two children and leading

them to the dining table.

Carol watched the kids and couldn't shake her unease.

She was certain she'd heard a child calling "Daddy" during the phone call earlier.

Carol's thoughts immediately turned to Irwin Wentworth.

On a night meant for family, why would Mr. Wentworth not be here with his

children? Was he spending time with Irwin again?

If that was the case, he was making a terrible mistake.

But it was only Carol's suspicion.

She didn't dare bring it up to Briony, afraid she might have misheard, and worried

that stirring the pot would undo the fragile peace that had finally settled between

the couple.

Carol sighed inwardly.

She could only hope she'd gotten it wrong.

During dinner, Little Nina was still thinking of her dad.

"Mommy, where's Daddy?" she asked.

Briony scooped a dumpling and placed it gently in her daughter's bowl. "Daddy

has something to take care of. He'll be home a little later to spend time with you

two."noveldrama

"But my teacher said everyone gets New Year's off, and every family should be

together," Little Nina protested, lips pursed in indignation. "Daddy can't be busy

with work. Did he sneak off to spend the holiday with someone else?"

Briony paused, taken aback.

Little Nina was no fool; she was innocent but sharp.

This New Year's meant more to her than ever before.

Just that afternoon, before her nap, she'd been giddy, saying how happy she was

to have both Mommy and Daddy around for New Year's.

But now, with Stewart missing from the table, the disappointment on her face was

plain to see.

Briony's heart ached. She reached out and stroked her daughter's hair. "Daddy

isn't with anyone else, sweetheart. He just had something come up—"

She didn't even finish the sentence before the sound of a car pulling up outside

interrupted her.

Little Nina's eyes shone. "That must be Daddy!"

Before Briony could react, Little Nina and little Mario had already scrambled off

their chairs, two tiny figures racing each other to the front door.

They barely made it to the entryway when they saw that tall, familiar figure

stepping out of the car.

Stewart's long legs carried him up the path, his black coat billowing with each

stride.

"Daddy!" "Daddy!" The kids' voices rang out as they dashed toward him.

Briony stepped out of the dining room, pausing at the hallway to watch Stewart

crouch down and sweep both kids into his arms.

"Daddy, where were you? You're so

late!" Little Nina threw her arms

around his neck, delighted but still

pouting. "I thought you ran off to

spend New Year's with someone

else!"

Stewart smiled helplessly. "I'm sorry. Daddy's late."

"Daddy, did you eat?" little Mario asked. "We just started dinner."

"Not yet," Stewart said, picking up one child in each arm as he walked inside.

Once they were in the foyer, he set them down and ruffled their hair. "Go get

settled; Daddy just needs to change his shoes and I'll join you."

The children nodded eagerly and scampered off to the dining room.

Stewart took his slippers from the shoe cabinet and changed out of his boots.

Briony stood nearby, watching him.

Once he was done, he straightened up and met her gaze.

"Carol said you weren't coming for New Year's dinner," Briony said quietly.

Stewart pressed his lips together, hesitated, then said, "I was always coming

home. I just didn't want everyone waiting around for me if I was going to be late."

So that was it.

Briony didn't want to see the children disappointed again.

After a moment, she asked, "Are you going to be busy the next few days too?"

Stewart didn't hide the truth. "From New Year's Day through next week, I'll

probably need to head out every day."

Briony frowned. "Is it work?"

"Not exactly. It's personal," Stewart admitted, catching the worry in her eyes. "I

promise, I'll manage my time and make sure to be with the kids as much as I can."

Since he said it was personal, Briony didn't pry further.

"I understand you're busy, but the

kids are still young, and they don't

always get it. This is Little Nina's

first New Year's with her dad-she's

been looking forward to it. Just

make sure you talk to them in

advance."

"I will. I'll let them know ahead of time."

Briony hesitated, then added, "Why

don't you stay over tonight? The kids

want to stay up for New Year's, and

by the time it's over it'll be the middle

of the night. Driving home in the

snow wouldn't be safe."

Stewart looked at her, eyes dark and thoughtful. "Okay."

Dinner lasted until eight o'clock.

Outside, fireworks began bursting in a riot of color across the country.

This year, Stewart had planned ahead.

He'd spent half a million dollars on a private fireworks show along the banks of

Pearbrook, set to go off at midnight on the dot.

For days, the digital billboards in Northborough had been hyping up the event.

No wonder Pearbrook was busier than ever this New Year's Eve everyone

wanted to be part of the celebration.