Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 661

In the end, Briony put on the necklace.

With it around her neck, the bare feeling vanished, and her collarbones no longer seemed so stark and exposed.

Stella nudged her toward the mirror. "Well? Doesn't it look nice?"

Briony studied her reflection, fingers brushing the chain. She still looked uneasy. "I don't know... I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Is it the style you don't like?"

Briony shot her a look.

Stella grinned mischievously. "Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing. I know what's really bothering you. You're worried Stewart will get the wrong idea. But trust me, he's got a pretty clear sense of where things stand these days. You don't have to worry about wearing his necklace making him think you want to get back together."

Briony regarded Stella, a headache coming on. "When did you become such an expert on Stewart?"

"It's not like that," Stella protested. "He came by the house a few days ago to see Cedric Clarke. I just happened to overhear them talking on the stairs."

She thought back for a moment. "Cedric asked him what his plans were now. Stewart said all he wanted was for you to get better, and once you did, he'd stop bothering you."

Briony pressed her lips together, thoughtful.

It was true-Stewart had told her the same thing that day.

"Bryn, the way I see it, Stewart just wants to make amends. You went through a lot because of him, and even though you've both made peace and you're ready to move forward, he still feels guilty. If he wants to make things right, let him. Just guard your own heart and you'll be fine."

her gaze,

"Or... are you afraid

just... we're not married anymore. It feels like we

"but you have two kids together. And you're both single. A little contact doesn't mean anything. Honestly, with the kids, you're practically family anyway. Families help each other out, that's

eyes. "That's not what you said last time. Last time you warned me that if we

shut her eyes dramatically as if to erase her

talk more nonsense than a bad

just think what you two have now is good. You're like friends, maybe even family. With the kids,

usually hover over each other every

age where he's thinking about getting married, and you're not interested in him, so you can't keep relying on him. My husband-well, I'm more than happy for you to lean on him, but I know

dropping by a lot lately. He's charming, but would

"Maynard's just a business

Briony groaned, feeling dizzy from Stella's tangled logic. "We've barely known each other a month. I wouldn't even

"If Mr. Maynard heard you say that,

gave her a look, unwilling to argue

off, unresolved

...

back garden was enormous-over two

lawns and winding paths.

a housewarming dinner in the

hired a team of five-star chefs

Asian

in crisp white linens stretched beneath strings of lights,