Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 365

"Yes."

"Dad also said she killed my little brother... My brother's gone, so Dad must be really sad."

Just thinking about Stewart's furious face that night at Lunar Heights Estate made Irwin's heart pound all over again.

"I'm Mom's kid. Now that Dad hates Mom so much, do you think he's going to start hating me too?"

Jeannie's hazel eyes softened.

She smiled gently, ruffling Irwin's hair. "Sweetheart, how could you think that about your dad? Think back—has he ever been harsh with you?"

Irwin thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Except for tonight, Dad's never raised his voice at me. He's always been good to me."

"Then, think again—why was he upset with you tonight?"

Irwin paused, confused. He looked up at Jeannie.

She met his gaze, her voice warm. "Because you went to see your mom behind his back, and you lied to him about it."

Irwin dropped his head, voice small and muffled. "But now Mom Bryn doesn't want me anymore. I just didn't want to be a kid without a mom."

"I know how much you need a mother's love. I've heard how, for five years, Mom Bryn cared for you with all her heart. She raised you so well. She really was a wonderful, loving mom to you, wasn't she?"

Irwin's eyes burned as he listened. "But she doesn't love me anymore."

"But think about it from Mom Bryn's side. It's not really her fault. Your birth mom took her son away from her. How could she possibly treat you like her own child now? From where I stand, the fact that she hasn't taken her anger and pain out on you is already something remarkable."

"Irwin, look at me."

Irwin lifted his head to meet Jeannie's eyes.

She cupped his cheek, her voice soft and sweet. "You have to understand—losing a child is the deepest pain a woman can ever face. Some wounds never heal. So you need to be gentle with Mom Bryn, okay?"

Irwin nodded. "Ms. Radcliffe, I didn't understand before, but now that you've explained it, I get it."