Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Out in the yard, the two children were laughing and playing with Stewart, their voices bright and joyful, carrying through the crisp winter air and into the house.

Briony watched them through the window, a gentle smile softening her features. "Star, help me take a few more photos and videos, would you?" she asked quietly. Stella's heart felt heavy, but she kept her expression calm as she nodded. "Of course." She reached for the camera and began snapping shots from every angle she could find.

In the snowy garden, Stewart crouched beside a snowman, the children flanking him on either side. The three of them turned together, glancing back at Briony as if drawn by the same thought.

Separated by the glass of the French doors, their eyes met-mother and father, son and daughter-a family united by a single, silent gaze.

Briony lifted her hand, her fingertips pressing gently against the cold pane.

Click.

Stella captured the moment perfectly.

She stared at the image on the camera's screen, her breath catching, tears stinging at her eyes.

There was still no news from the bone marrow registry. Two days ago, Dr. Cedric Clarke had said that if a donor couldn't be found soon, Briony might not make it through the winter...

over, and Stella turned away quickly, wiping her

and her husband arrived with James Delaney. Briony was too tired to entertain guests for long,

Stewart and a professional

few days. She'd pushed herself to stay awake while the children were there, but now, with the house empty, she returned to her bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, drifting into a deep, exhausted

a soft amber glow over the room. Briony was slumped

fought so hard, for so long. His chest ached with helpless sorrow. He knew how brave she'd

give in, but the illness had shown no

two days ago, the doctors had gathered again for a consultation. The prognosis was grim. No one told Briony, but Stewart felt sure she already

slipped into the bathroom and brought back a bottle of makeup remover

half-sleep, Briony felt something cool brushing gently over her face.

paused, meeting her gaze. "Let me help you clean your face. Once you've had your medicine, you can go

a

his throat tightening at

her to drink her medicine. She managed only a few sips