Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 481

Downstairs, Briony and Cedric Clarke settled into their seats, each lost in their own thoughts.

James quietly prepared the tea, the gentle clinking of china filling the silence.

"We're all friends here, so I'll get straight to the point. You don't mind, Dr. Clarke?" Cedric managed a weary smile. "Honestly, I'm more anxious than anyone right now. I was hoping you both might have some advice for me."

Briony didn't hesitate. "Star seems to be struggling with a bit of postpartum depression."

Cedric's expression froze, as if the words had caught him off guard.

"Sure, memory loss and hormonal changes play a part," Briony continued, "but I think the way you both have been interacting with her might have something to do with it too."

Cedric was a doctor-he knew all too well that postpartum depression was a challenge many new mothers faced. But he'd never considered that Stella might be one of them. He'd done his research, after all. From the day she got pregnant to the moment she gave birth, he'd tried to do everything right, to be as prepared as any husband could be.

Now, though, he felt completely lost.

"Star never wanted to get married in the first place," Briony said gently, "let alone have a child. Dr. Clarke, right now, she feels trapped."

A pang of sadness crossed Cedric's face, and his voice wavered. "So, she's depressed because she thinks I—and the baby—have tied her down, is that it?"

Briony didn't deny it, though she worried the thought would only hit Cedric harder. She could see Stella cared for him, truly. But right now, Stella needed patience and understanding more than anything else.

like the old Stella is wrestling with the new one. She needs time to process everything, and she needs to

Cedric with a serious look. "This is going to be a rough stretch for you, I won't lie. But I hope you'll be patient with Star. She does care about you, I can

"Thank you for being honest with me. I'll try to talk

stairs. "I'll go check on her

Briony nodded in encouragement.

gone upstairs, James leaned in, keeping his voice low. "Do you think Star will go back with

will," Briony

"How can you

mother's instinct to care about her child, Briony replied

with herself, not

She'd never

Suth

him."

know. Not every mother

Rosita and Lauren Lynn-those women treat their kids like

him a look, her brows knitting in gentle

his hands up. "All right,

more, footsteps sounded

appeared. Stella looked utterly reluctant, but she managed to address Briony. "Bryn,