Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony closed her book, her voice soft and gentle. "Maybe I slept too much during the day. I just can't seem to fall asleep now."

Stewart stepped inside, quietly shutting the bedroom door behind him.

"Do you want some water?"

"No, thank you."

He paused, then asked, "Are you hungry?"

Briony met his gaze. "I'm not."

Stewart pressed his lips together, standing at the edge of the bed.

For a few moments, they simply looked at each other, silence settling between them-a quiet, delicate tension in the air.

Briony smiled, just a little. "Stewart, if you're not tired, why don't you sit and talk with me for a while?"

Stewart looked slightly surprised.

Briony was never one to start a conversation with him without a reason.

He pulled a chair over and sat by the bed.

"Have you started another business lately?"

Stewart hesitated before responding. "How did you know?"

"I overheard you on the phone a few days ago. You mentioned something about a bid."

He saw no point in hiding it from her. She'd find out soon enough anyway.

business partner. The company won't

said, "Stewart, I know you're capable, but starting a business is always

the kids. Keep it safe. You don't need to

it temporarily," Briony insisted. "Technically, you're still here. Those assets should be yours until the kids come of age. Then you

a thin line. "Are you trying to give the assets back because you want to cut all ties

Briony

with sadness. "You're still afraid I'll make things messy

gaze, lips

wasn't worried about

care of me-gone above and beyond. If I still called that meddling, I'd be unfair. Besides, we already

swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "So, I can still

both had it rough. Setting feelings aside, we're not all that different. We've been through the worst together. There's no need to act like strangers or force the kids to choose sides. If we can respect each other, wish each other well, isn't that the best

felt his

was something he'd never dared hope

let go of the old grudges and

not as before, but as a

to hold her. He wanted that

can I hug you?" His voice was thick with emotion.

him. After a moment, she

Stewart's eyes trembled.

arms

quietly, letting

arms shook as if he was barely holding himself together, terrified

tears landed on

tried so hard not to make a

softly, closed her eyes, and gently patted his shoulder, comforting

the twenty-eighth of December, Briony was discharged from the

and Gina had gotten the fireplace going, filling the house

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