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

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.

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

you trying to

caught Briony

still afraid I'll make things messy for you,

his gaze,

she wasn't

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,

bobbing. "So, I can still

we've 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

his chest

eyes was something

truly let go of the old grudges

not as before, but as a

wanted to hold her. He wanted that

His voice was thick

him. After a moment, she slowly

Stewart's eyes trembled.

he wrapped his arms

quietly, letting

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

tears landed on

not to

eyes, and

twenty-eighth of December, Briony was discharged from the

had gotten the fireplace going,

coming back to