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?"

Briony muttered, staring up at the ceiling. "Why is everyone

matter-of-fact. "Look, I'm hardly Stewart's biggest fan, but as a woman—and a brand mom deal with all this postpartum craziness-I get it. You and Stewart will always be connected because

lips together, and despite herself, the memory of that

closely, but Briony's expression was

couldn't tell what

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

whole knight- in-shining-armor thing going on. I mean, he won't push you to 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

to look out the

brilliant blue, dotted with clouds—a perfect

head, her voice soft.

just making it through this year was uncertain. How could she think about something

weighed

had come

so violently, that

wishing Briony would live @little more selfishly,

that you get the care you need. And if

at her

couple of months. How did you suddenly get so...

flopped face-down

bed

sighed. "I've

lately.

me

shot her a