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-"

away, brushed past him, and headed straight for the

moment she stepped out, little Aster spotted his mother and, for

didn't rush to

a few seconds, when she

as Stella reached for

and whimpering, nuzzling into

still forced herself to soothe him in a trembling whisper. "Aster, sweetheart, you're a big boy now. Let's not

how could he

wanted,

came faster, hot and

she sobbed, clutching her child. "Why is everyone

expected things

love. He's just tired and fussy, that's all. He's foo little to know any better. Let's get

Briony, lips

too, that right now, there was no choice but to try to settle him. He was just a baby, after all, but

Carol to make

was ready, Stella took it

Stella sat at the foot of the bed, holding her

been