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.

The company won't

this for a moment, then said, "Stewart, I know you're capable, but starting a business

face serious. “That's for you and the kids. Keep it safe. You don't need to

insisted. "Technically, you're still here. Those assets should be

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

caught Briony

still afraid

his gaze, lips pressed

was, she wasn't worried

differently now. You've taken care of me-gone above and beyond. If I still

swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "So, I can still keep in touch with

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

felt his

was

let go of the

not as before, but as a

He wanted that more

you?" His voice was thick with emotion. "As a friend. As family. Would that be

him. After a moment, she slowly opened

Stewart's eyes trembled.

arms around her,

quietly, letting

was barely holding himself together, terrified he

landed on her

tried so hard not to make a

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

Briony

going, filling the

the threshold, finally coming back to the place that truly