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.

partner. The company won't officially launch until the

"Stewart, I know you're capable, but starting a business is always tough at first.

for you and the kids. Keep

be yours until the kids come of age.

"Are you trying to give the assets back because you want to cut

caught Briony off

were tinged with sadness. "You're still afraid

his gaze, lips

wasn't worried about that

things differently now. You've taken care of me-gone above and beyond. If I still called that meddling, I'd be unfair. Besides, we

swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "So,

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,

his chest

eyes was something he'd never

go of the old grudges

before, but as a friend, as part of the

hold her. He wanted that

thick with

him. After a moment, she slowly opened her

Stewart's eyes trembled.

arms around her, holding her

quietly, letting

he was barely holding himself together,

tears landed on

tried so hard not to

softly, closed her eyes, and gently patted

twenty-eighth of December, Briony

gotten the fireplace going, filling the house with a gentle

coming back to the place