Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"How on earth did you and Stewart ever become friends?" Stella looked up at him again, her tone half incredulous, half teasing. "The two of you couldn't be more different-yet somehow you've been thick as thieves for years. It's honestly a miracle."

Cedric Clarke just stared at her, speechless.

She narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. "Wait, don't tell me you've just been faking it this whole time?" She jabbed a finger at his chest. "Are you going to spring a childhood sweetheart on me one day? Or maybe some college-era first love? Or I don't know, a secret fiancée from your family's old friends—mmph!"

This time, he silenced her the most effective way he knew: pressing his lips against hers, stealing her words with a kiss that was deep and insistent. He didn't let her go until she was gasping for breath.

"Star, you can doubt my character if you want, but don't you dare question how much I love you," Cedric said, his voice low and steady. "If I ever betray you, may

"Before you start swearing oaths, maybe just write a will first," Stella interrupted, yawning as she closed her eyes.

Cedric blinked, momentarily thrown off.

"Make me your primary beneficiary," she added, stifling another yawn. "And take out a million-dollar life insurance policy while you're at it-make sure I'm the one who gets the payout."

Cedric just stared at her, at a loss for words.

"Don't make promises," Stella turned away, her voice calm. "Everyone thinks they'll never break their word when they're in love. But the truth is, love keeps people together for a while, and when it's gone, you're left with broken pieces scattered everywhere just like leftovers in the fridge, one little piece at a time."

Cedric gaped at her. "Star, you really have to stop watching those true crime documentaries late at night. It's bad for our marriage."

He gathered her into his arms, burying his face in her neck, breathing in her scent. "I just want to spend my whole life with you. You're my Star, my wife, and I'll only ever love you."

and let out a

was straight out of a soap

don't know how long I'll last

forever, so don't promise it to me. If you ever regret this, just tell me.

"Stella!"

threateningly low. "If you keep talking nonsense,

utterly unafraid. Tilting her head back, she bared her delicate neck. "Go ahead, then. I'm not stopping

hurt her, not even a little. Finally, unable to resist, he bent down and bit her softly

what are you,

her close again. "I just marked you. This life, the

retaliated by pinching his

out a yelp worthy of a

Stella promptly kicked Cedric out of bed. "You woke him, you deal with

morning, Cedric was already

Aster after his morning bottle and went back

eight, Briony and James had

and Little Nina

called

he sent

like to

and Ferdinand had their eyes on her ten percent from the very