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

voice conspiratorially. "Or... are you afraid you'll end

falling for him again. It's just... we're not married anymore. It feels

little contact doesn't mean

Last time you warned me that if we

to erase her own words. "That was

talk more nonsense than a bad

You're like friends, maybe even family. With the kids, you'll never be totally out of each other's lives,

usually hover over

you can't keep relying on him. My husband-well, I'm more than happy for you to lean on him, but I know you'd feel awkward. Who else is there? Oh, me! I can help,

been dropping by a lot lately. He's

"Maynard's just a business

barely known

"If Mr. Maynard heard you say

just gave her a look, unwilling to argue

off,

...

Mansion's back garden was enormous-over two

lawns and winding paths.

was hosting a housewarming dinner

team of

Asian

table dressed in crisp white linens stretched beneath strings of lights, with a barbecue grill nearby and