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.

found a business partner. The company

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

Stewart interrupted, his face serious. “That's for you and the kids. Keep it safe. You don't need to worry about

be yours until the kids come of age. Then you can decide

line. "Are you trying

Briony

with sadness. "You're still afraid I'll

his gaze, lips pressed

wasn't worried about that

you've put in these past weeks. After everything I've been through, I see 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 already agreed-for the kids' sake, we'd stay friends, maybe even something like family.

his Adam's apple bobbing. "So, I

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

felt his chest

eyes was something he'd never dared hope

truly let go of

before, but as a

her. He wanted that more than

was thick with emotion.

After a moment, she slowly opened her

Stewart's eyes trembled.

his arms around

sat quietly, letting him

was barely holding himself together, terrified he might

landed on her

so hard not to make

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

twenty-eighth of December, Briony was discharged

Gina had gotten the fireplace going,

back to the place that truly