Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 38

Briony returned to her own hospital room first, changing out of the standard-issue gown and back into her own clothes. After collecting herself, she made her way to see Julia.

Outside Julia's room, Gina was waiting. The moment she saw Briony, she hurried over, blocking her path.

"Ms. Kensington, please, don't go in just yet."

Briony frowned in confusion. "What's happened?"

Gina glanced around, then pulled Briony aside, lowering her voice. "I'll be honest with you-your mother's awake, but she's... well, she's seen the news online. She thinks you broke up someone else's relationship, and the shock is what caused her to faint."

Briony froze.

News online?

She hesitated, her mind racing. Suddenly, the realization hit her. She spun around to look at Stella.

"Star, give me my phone."

Stella, knowing there was no use hiding it anymore, handed the phone over.

Briony unlocked it and opened Facebook.

Her inbox was flooded with messages. Even under her attempted post clarifying the rumors, the comments were a barrage of vitriol:

"Homewrecker."

"Manipulator."

"Attention seeker."

ruin to your own

he was married and still got

a murderer-just

"Murderess deserves to rot!"

gets what's

ugly insults made Briony's eyes sting

hospital room door creaked open from

Briony stepped inside.

Hearing someone enter, she slowly turned

her pale and exhausted face managed a faint smile. "Why

delayed. Gina called me,

her mother's cheek. "Mom, don't

Julia stared at her, her voice trembling. "Bryn, can you swear on my life that there's nothing-nothing at all-between

every subtle flicker of Briony's expression, every sign

"My entire life

"the other woman" to her own daughter. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face as she choked out, "You're stabbing me right in the heart, Bryn! If the price

eyes widened

at her mother, tears