Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 24

January 15th on the old calendar-Briony's mother, Julia Hudson, was finally coming home.

Stella had taken the day off to go with Briony to pick up Julia.

The weather forecast had been spot on: the day was glorious, clear and bright.

Sunlight broke through the thick winter clouds and spilled across the ground, turning the snow into a dazzling sea of diamonds.

Outside the gates of Northborough's women's prison, Briony stood wrapped in a cream-colored wool coat. She looked delicate, her long, silky hair swaying gently in the wind.

"Star, what time is it?" Briony's eyes were fixed on the towering brick walls ahead, her tightly clasped hands betraying her nerves.

Stella gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It's only eight-thirty. She'll be out soon. Try not to worry."

As the words left her lips, the heavy iron gate rattled.

A smaller side door swung open.

Briony's eyelashes fluttered. She broke into a run.

"Mom!"

Julia paused in surprise when she saw her, but her face quickly broke into a smile. "Bryn, you're here."

and start fresh," the young guard said kindly,

gate clanged shut

she'd been carrying over Julia's shoulders. "Mom, I'm here

for a

"It's me! Bryn and I came to bring you

hand, holding on tight. "You're a good girl.

don't have to thank me! Bryn and I grew up together-we're practically sisters. Don't feel bad. Let's get you home first. Bryn bought a new place and decorated it herself.

took Briony's hand in one of hers, Stella's in the other. When she smiled, the lines at the corners of her eyes deepened. "Let's go

Dolphin Cove.

chimed as it reached the top

out together. Stella hurried in first and lit the fireplace, positioning it right by the entrance. "Julia! Step over the fire-leave the bad luck behind. From now on, only good things

tears as she nodded and stepped over the flames, smiling

threshold into the home she'd so lovingly prepared. In that moment, emotion overwhelmed her; tears spilled down her

face with the back

cold, unforgiving place, back into a home that was truly

no Kensingtons. No Hudsons. Just the

the new apartment, showing off every cozy corner, before finally bringing her to the

picked them out herself. Stella handed them

a shower and change into something fresh? Later, Bryn and I will take

took the clothes and held

moment, she stood there, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Bryn has suffered so much because of

now that you're home, Bryn doesn't