Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 554

James didn't say another word. He turned and walked away.

...

On the way back, Briony suddenly said she wanted to stop by Pearbrook.

James pulled the car over by the roadside near the river.

He walked with her across the crosswalk and onto the sidewalk that bordered Pearbrook.

Late summer nights after a storm always carried a sticky dampness to the city. The river ran swift, its waters churning rather than calm.

The rain had only just let up. There was no one else by the river.

Briony stood gazing out at the dark water, silent for a long time.

James simply stayed by her side, keeping quiet.

Across Pearbrook was Briony's new home; just a crosswalk separated them from

it.

The damp night breeze tugged at her long hair.

Briony lifted a hand to brush the strands from her cheek.

Cedric Clarke's words from the police station echoed in her mind-

[Stewart always said he didn't want a funeral. He just asked me to scatter his ashes in Pearbrook. But now...]

"But now there's nothing left. His last wish can't even be fulfilled."

murmured the words, barely audible. James caught only a fragment and leaned

"It's nothing."

her eyes on the river. "It's getting late.

but the night was so dark he couldn't make out the expression on her

to Skybreeze Retreat,

inside to see Stella sitting on

jumped up and hurried over, worry etched across her face.

reassure her with a small smile.

to be swamped with work for the next few

the ones who'll be busy. There's not much happening on my end. You really didn't need to make a special

as well as she did, she

tugging Briony up to the second floor without waiting for

Briony into a bedroom

without a word, Stella pulled her into a tight hug. "Cry if you want. I'm here. Just let

few seconds, then

frowned, studying her

not feeling

"You really hate Stewart

hate." Briony shook her head. "The moment I heard

my feelings just...

your heart died

turned to look out

was pitch black,

soft, almost fragile, in the quiet

someone dies, that's it. Whether you grieve or not doesn't change anything. I'm not devastated by Stewart's

"You still care

Briony didn't deny it.

was the man she once loved with five years of her youth. Even after deciding