Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony turned to look out the window as well.

Snow was falling again, thick and soft as down feathers drifting from the sky.

"Do you like the snow, Mario?" she asked gently.

Mario's voice was barely above a whisper. "Dad promised me. He said when it snowed in winter, he'd take me outside to build a snowman and have a snowball fight."

Briony felt her heart skip.

"Mom," Mario turned his solemn gaze to her, his eyes wide and searching, "is Dad ever coming back?"

She stared into her son's deep, dark eyes, suddenly at a loss for words.

It felt like an invisible hand was squeezing her heart.

She knew how sensitive Mario was. He must have sensed that Stewart was gone.

Mario spoke again, his voice quiet. "I actually knew Dad was sick. He said he went overseas to work, but I think... he really went to get treated. That's why he sent me to live with you."

Briony's nose stung with tears. "How did you know? Did Dad tell you?"noveldrama

Mario shook his head. "He used to wake up at night and cough a lot. Mr. Clarke would come by all the time with his medical bag. Mom, they didn't have to say anything. I knew Dad was sick."

Briony couldn't hold back anymore. She pulled her son into her arms.

"Mom, is Dad... gone?"

She hugged him tightly, but no words of comfort would come.

"Mom, it's okay." Mario looked up at her, his small face serious. "Dad taught me to

be brave. He said I'm the man of the house now, and I should look after you and my sister, work hard at school, and one day take care of you both for him."

Briony could barely breathe.

Her heart ached.

So her son had known all along.

But he was still just a child—not even five-why should he have to carry such a burden?

"Mario, you don't have to be strong. Even if Dad's not here anymore, I can give you and your sister a good life on my own."

She stroked his hair, her voice gentle. "As for your dad... he's just left this world a little earlier than the rest of us. But he'll become a star in the sky, always watching over you and your sister."

Little Nina cuddled against Briony, nodding quietly. After a while, she asked, "Mom, do you miss Dad?"

Briony closed her eyes.

She didn't answer-she just softly patted Mario's back. "How about I sing you a lullaby?"

Mario nestled into her, gazing out at the snowflakes falling beyond the window. "Mom, when I watch the snow, I always wonder if Dadmight

Sdenly come back."

Briony's breath caught. "Sleep now," she whispered, "maybe tonight Dad will visit you in your dreams."

Mario obediently closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep as his mother's soft song filled the room.

...

After that day, Mario never mentioned his father again.

He didn't tell Nina the truth either.

Nina still believed she was the older

sibling,

Mario didn't argue. Hee

quietly fulfilled his role as even if no one

Once the holidays were over, Briony's life grew busy again.

Starlight Entertainment had become a rising force in Northborough in just half a year.

At the annual Nebula Prize, Mary won Best Actress.

The TV adaptation of Soulflare was set to premiere on Valentine's Day, with Mary in the lead role.

On February 13th, Northborough hosted a charity gala.

The city's elite turned out in force.

Briony attended with Mary.

They walked the red carpet together, arm in arm.

Standing beside the newly crowned Best Actress, Briony-an industry outsider-

didn't look out of place at all.

She wore a black off-shoulder

evening gown, simple and elegant, paired with slender heels. There was an air of quiet confidence about her.

At the autograph wall, she accepted a pen from the host and signed her name with practiced ease.

As she finished, Briony turned—and out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure...