Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony hadn't made a secret of her illness with Maynard.

He was an important business partner, and she chose not to hide her condition from him—it would make it easier to arrange a smooth transition if someone else needed to take over her projects. At the moment, aside from Starlight

Entertainment, which still lacked a suitable manager, her other companies were all in steady hands. That gave her peace of mind.

Carey was competent, but not quite ready to handle everything alone. In Briony's absence, it was only thanks to Mr. Seven working quietly behind the scenes that Starlight Entertainment had managed to stay afloat. But Mr. Seven had no real interest in running the company, and Briony's second choice was Maynard.

Maynard had a unique and instinctive sense for film investment. If she could persuade him to take a stake in Starlight Entertainment and eventually take the reins, the company's future would be secure.

She admired Maynard, but that admiration had nothing to do with romance.

Besides, in her current state, she hardly had the energy or spirit for love.

"Mr. Maynard, you should head home and get some rest," she said gently, turning down his overture with quiet tact.

The night was still. Briony's eyes were calm, her slender frame wrapped in a beige shawl.

A breeze drifted by.

They stood there, silent, gazes locked.

Maynard smiled, lips quirking. "You've turned me down again."

Briony's tone was steady as she reminded him, "It might be the last time, Mr. Maynard. You'll find someone who's right for you."

He looked at her.

was ill-seriously ill, and the prognosis wasn't

herself

She was still strikingly beautiful, but illness had left her face noticeably

smile faded. He lifted a hand, as if to

a fist before he let

"Drive safe, Mr. Maynard.

Maynard

black sedan slipped away into the

watched the taillights vanish, then turned and

...

Pearbrook Mansion

could hear the faint sounds of

from the front yard,

blade of grass, every brick and stone-she had created this place bit by

haven she had longed for, a real home

when she was gone, she wanted her portrait hung on the wall of the side

a large window there, and from spot,

view of sunrises

and

breathtaking in

room, Briony paused, her gaze drifting to the open cubby of

that on moving day, you

Marlene to leave the living room lights on for

nodded and urged her to get

Carey had just left.