Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"I just don't think he needs to be at the hospital all the time. We're divorced, after all-he's my ex-husband now. There's no reason for him to be hovering around like this."

"Oh, I get it!" Stella tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You're worried that with him taking care of you, you'll end up falling for him again—and then, before you know it, you two are back together?"

Briony rolled her eyes. "Maybe you should go back to grade school and brush up on your reading comprehension."

Stella burst out laughing. "Kidding! I know what you mean, don't worry."

Briony shot her a playful glare. "You're impossible."

"Bryn, he's the father of your child. Even if he's just looking after you as a friend, that's perfectly normal. Besides, he's got resources, and from what Cedric told me, Stewart's not exactly swamped these days. He's got time, and he wants to help out. Why not just let him?"

"It just makes me feel weird."

"Weird?" Stella arched an eyebrow. "What's so weird about it? It's not like you need him to hey! Ow! Did you just hit me?"

Briony glared at her. "You really can't keep that mouth of yours in check, can you?"

Stella rubbed her arm where she'd been smacked, then looked at Briony, falling quiet for a moment before sighing in defeat.

"Bryn, you really haven't noticed how much Stewart's changed?"

"I have."

"So you really don't want to give him another chance?"

join a convent," Briony muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "Why is

this postpartum craziness-I get it. You and Stewart will always be connected because of your child. And you went through hell together! I heard he nearly lost the

the memory of that day flashed

closely, but Briony's expression was unreadably

friend, Stella couldn't tell

moved on, sure, I'd say there's nothing left between you. But that's

get back together, but he wants to look after you as the father of your child. Don't tell me there isn't a little hope mixed in with that. As long as there's love, there's always hope. It's a slow burn, Bryn. Maybe you can turn him down for a year, or two, or even five- but if he never gives up, how long can you hold out? You might be able to say no now, but what about in ten years? When you're old and frail, and there's someone who knows you inside out still by your side... can you really say no

to look

was a brilliant blue, dotted

her head, her voice soft. "Growing old... that's

through this year was uncertain. How could she think

weighed

illness had come on

violently,

Briony would live @little more selfishly, a little

by your side, just let him. Who cares what he's thinking? The only thing that matters is that you get the care you need. And if you do end up back together, I'll support you no matter what. Honestly, you

stared at

of months. How did you

face-down

bed

"I've

my life a lot lately. Been reading tons of

teased, "Let me

her