Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 51

Two hours later, James had finished his IV drip and looked much better—more alert, more himself.

The doctor recommended that he stay at the hospital for observation, but James wouldn’t hear of it.

In the end, the doctor wrote him a prescription and told him to stick to light, easily digestible meals for the next few days.

While Briony was waiting at the pharmacy, her phone buzzed. Stewart was calling her.

Three calls came in a row. She didn’t answer any of them.

Finally, Stewart sent a text.

**[Irwin misses you.]**

Staring at the message, Briony hesitated for a moment. Then she sighed and called back.

The line was picked up almost instantly, and Irwin’s excited little voice piped up, “Mom!”

Briony’s voice softened. “Irwin, have you been good?”

“I have! But Mom, you haven’t called me in days!” Irwin complained. “You promised—even when you traveled for work, you’d always call or video chat with me!”

“I’m sorry, Irwin. Things have just been really busy these past few days,” Briony apologized gently.

“Hmph!” Irwin huffed, clearly upset. “You never used to be like this! Even when your work was crazy, you never forgot about me. Do you—do you not love me as much as you used to?”

It had been one thing after another lately, and Briony was barely keeping her head above water. But remembering the promises she’d made to Irwin, her heart softened with guilt.

“Irwin, I’m sorry. I love you just as much as ever. I just really haven’t had a free moment to call or video chat, that’s all.”

“But Dad’s busy too. He’s a super important lawyer, but he still comes to the hospital every day to be with me. Mom, isn’t your job as important as Dad’s? How come you’re too busy for your own son?”

Briony pressed her lips together, brow furrowing slightly.

She knew Irwin was just a child and didn’t understand, but his words still stung. He’d never spoken to her like this before.

Back when she was first starting her studio, life had been chaos. She was running herself ragged and even fell ill a few times, so she had to leave Irwin with the Wentworth family for a while.

Irwin hadn’t loved staying there, but he’d always promised her he’d be good, that he’d listen to his grandmother, and that she should rest and get better before picking him up...

But now, Irwin was different.

“Mom?” Irwin’s voice came through again, impatient and a little hurt. “Are you even listening to me?”

“I was on the phone,” Briony replied, eyeing him. “Are you able to walk on your own?”

“I’m not that fragile,” James muttered, standing up carefully. “Just a little dizzy. Would you mind driving me back to the hotel?”

“Of course,” Briony said quietly.

—

In the underground parking garage, Briony helped James into the car.

The white SUV rolled toward the exit, its headlights cutting through the dim light.

In a black van parked a few spaces back, Irwin sat strapped in his booster seat, frowning in concentration. “That’s strange. I think I just saw Mom Bryn.”

Rosita, his nanny, ruffled his hair affectionately. “Missing Mom Bryn, sweetheart?”

Irwin’s eyes darted as he grinned, “No! I just really miss her cooking, that’s all! Don’t get the wrong idea, Mom.”

Rosita chuckled softly. “Irwin, little boys shouldn’t tell fibs. I won’t be upset if you say you miss Mom Bryn. She took care of you for five years—it’s perfectly natural you’d be attached to her.”