Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"No," Briony replied with a soft smile. "Honestly, she's not that bad."

"Not that bad?" James shot her a quick glance as he drove. "Bryn, you really ought to get yourself a scam detector app or something."

Briony couldn't help but laugh at his teasing. "Why are you so hostile toward her?"

"She bullies you!"

"That was all just for show."

"For show?" James gave a derisive snort. "Even if it's just an act, I still don't like her!"

"Come on, James, don't be like that. She grew up in foster care. Everything that happened before, she and Stewart were working together."

"Even so..." The memory of her and Barrie acting so close still left a sour taste in his mouth, and his expression only darkened.

Still, his upbringing was strict-he'd been taught better than to gossip behind someone's back, especially someone who wasn't even a friend. No matter what he thought about Lorna using her looks to finish a job, he knew better than to judge her out loud. That just wasn't right.

When they arrived back at Skybreeze Retreat, Carl Shaw had just dropped off little Mario and little Nina, with Carol in tow.

Stewart had already paid Carol's salary for the next ten years-she'd signed the decade-long contract. As soon as Carol saw Briony and James pull up, she greeted them warmly and respectfully, then opened the trunk of the Maybach and began unloading bag after bag.

Every bag was packed with things Stewart had bought for the kids, most of them for little Mario.

From today, little Mario was officially moving in.

It had been a week since Briony had seen the kids. Now, as soon as they spotted her, they ran straight over, clamoring for attention.

"Mama~!"

"Mama!"

Briony knelt down and gathered both children in her arms, showering them with kisses. All the exhaustion from work seemed to melt away the moment she saw their sweet faces.

Off to the side, James cleared his throat dramatically. "Well, look at me, all alone -no one to love me!"

Little Nina paused, then rushed over with her arms stretched out. "Godfather, hug!"

James immediately scooped her up. "You little traitor! Now that you have a real dad, you don't want your godfather anymore?"

"That's not true!" Little Nina planted a kiss on his cheek. "Godfather will always be my favorite godfather! I only have one dad, but I also only have one godfather. So you're one of a kind too!" noveldrama

James thought to himself, Well, at least my status is better than that uncle Ferdinand.

"Hmph! You're just buttering me up!" He tapped her little nose. "But since you're so adorable, I'll let

away with it." Content bou get

SV

Little Nina giggled, pleased as always when her charm worked.

Just then, little Mario walked over and tugged at James's sleeve.

James crouched down. "What is it, buddy?"

Little Mario's face was serious. "Uncle, can I have a hug?"

James was momentarily surprised. This kid was never the first to reach out-what had gotten into him today?

Still, it was rare for Mario to ask for affection, and James wasn't about to let him down. He wrapped an arm around Mario's legs, scooping him up so he held one child in each arm. "Now, if you call me godfather, I'll always have your back!"

Little Mario blinked up at him, then nodded solemnly. "Godfather."

James grinned from ear to ear. "Good boy! Just wait-godfather owes you a present, and I'll find something special for you later!"

He'd given a gift when Nina was born, so now, with Mario officially calling him godfather, it was only right to make it up to him too.

By the time they got inside, James was in high spirits, the kids clinging to him as if he were the world's greatest hero.

Carol was busy ferrying bags inside, and Marlene came out to help her.

Out in the garden, Briony turned to Carl. "Thank you, Carl. I appreciate it."

"It's my pleasure, Ms. Kensington," Carl replied. He hesitated, as if wanting to say

more.