Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"I'll be heading out, so try to get some rest."

Briony gave her a nod. "Alright."

Cedric Clarke came downstairs and made a beeline for the kitchen, looking for Stewart.

Stewart was standing by the stove, simmering a pot of soup. He wore dark jeans and a plain white T-shirt, a fresh bandage still wrapped around one forearm. Even from behind-broad shoulders, trim waist-he made quite a striking figure.

Cedric clicked his tongue in mock admiration, folding his arms as he leaned against the doorway. Watching Stewart fuss over the soup, he couldn't help but marvel, "If this isn't a total transformation, I don't know what is!"

Stewart glanced over his shoulder. "You saw Bryn?"

"Yeah." Cedric crossed the room. "Gave her the report. She seems to be holding up alright, honestly. I get the sense her attitude's still pretty positive."

Stewart's gaze stayed on the bubbling pot. "She's resigned herself to it. For the baby's sake, she'll cooperate with any treatment, even if there's only a sliver of hope. But if things don't work out, she's already made peace with it."

Cedric let out a laugh. "What, did you take a secret night class? 'How to Read Your Ex-Wife'?"

Stewart shot him a sidelong look.

Cedric clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "Seriously, man, seeing you like this -I'm honestly happy for you. Sure, you lost the wife, but at least you've got two healthy kids."

the soup, not looking up. "Your wife hasn't left. You could still try for the

wry one. "Not a chance. My wife's got stars in her eyes. Me and our son

and

been getting the cold

Stewart said nothing.

ever the dramatist, let out a theatrical sigh. "Here I am, banished

Stewart: "..."

coming down the stairs and heard voices from the kitchen. She recognized Cedric's voice and drifted closer, pausing just

she approached, Cedric's voice carried into the

I think my mother-in-law's right. My

holding her back. The baby's only a year old, and she's

a long, weary sigh. "Stewart,

I'm the only one trying. She... she never seems all-in.

way, she

parted, then

a dull ache

Cedric sees things. So this is how

smile flickered across Stella's face. She drew

in the kitchen realized Stella had been