Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony nodded. "Try to talk to Dr. Clarke, will you? Star's had a few drinks-she's not thinking straight. Don't take her words to heart."

"Alright." Stewart pushed open the door and stepped inside.

In the media room, the once-loving couple were now locked in a furious argument, faces flushed and voices raised.

Stella sat on the sofa, her face buried in her hands, sobbing. Cedric Clarke stood across from her, arms akimbo, his expression dark and stormy, chest heaving with anger.

There were no winners in this fight.

Once, they had loved each other fiercely. Now, only their cruelest words remained, cutting deeper than any blade.

Broken glass glinted on the floor, the sharp tang of spilled liquor hanging in the air. Through the open door, the heart-wrenching cries of a child echoed from outside. That sound pulled Stella and Cedric back from the edge, snapping the spell of their rage.

"Ms. Joyner's been drinking-her words don't count for much right now. Let it go," Stewart said quietly, stepping over to Cedric and giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Cedric wiped a hand over his face, as if trying to clear his head.

He was just as lost in his anger. He was the one who'd smashed the bottle. Now, regret gnawed at him.

Stella stood by the coffee table, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

Cedric looked at her, a heavy ache settling in his chest.

"Star, I-"

Stella only wiped her tears away, brushed past him, and headed straight for the

moment she stepped out, little Aster spotted his

didn't rush to scoop

stared at his mom. After a few seconds, when she didn't come to him, the wailing

once more as Stella reached for her son, pulling

her, hiccuping and whimpering,

herself to soothe him in a trembling whisper. "Aster, sweetheart,

could

he wanted, Aster only cried

came faster,

even you're pushing me!" she sobbed, clutching her child. "Why is everyone

expected things

alright, love. He's just tired and fussy, that's all. He's foo little to know any better. Let's get him to sleep first, okay? We'll figure the rest out

at Briony, lips

her son. She knew, too, that right now, there was no choice but

asked Carol to make up

formula was ready, Stella took it and carried Aster upstairs, into

the bed, holding her son in

who'd been