Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"Bryn, please—don't cry, I..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Briony looked at him, her voice trembling. "Stewart, this

is my life. I don't need you to save me like this."

A sharp pain twisted in Stewart's chest.

"Bryn, the only thing that matters is that you're alive."

He reached out, wanting to wipe away her tears, but Briony stepped back and

stood up, just out of reach.

She brushed the tears from her face, her voice icy. "You traded ten years of

marriage to save my life, Stewart. Do you really think that makes you some kind of

hero?"

Stewart's breath caught. "I didn't think about any of that. In that moment, all I

wanted was for you to survive. Bryn, everything else pales in comparison to you

being alive..."

Briony stared at him, eyes shining with tears.

Suddenly, she let out a brittle laugh and nodded. "You're right. Compared to being

alive, nothing else matters."

"Bryn, don't overthink this. You have to live. Our kids need their mother."

Stewart swallowed hard. "Don't pay any attention to what Xenia Cooper says. The

deal was between me and her—it has nothing to do with you. I didn't tell you

choice. Even now, if Xenia Cooper is

because of me. If you want to call me selfish, fine—maybe

of our kids

lashes trembled as she gazed at him, silent

face.

used the children as an excuse, never once

dumb. After everything they'd

Stewart's feelings for her,

bear the weight

or at least remained friends, but things

beyond that... Love tangled up with a debt she couldn't

say

tears away

steady gaze. "If you

me

what I'll believe.

owe you

that we're even. I can

as kind as you think,

Jive. You're right

than that. So

accept all of

to her, Stewart felt as though an

you're Xenia

I are

our children.

remarried, we

distance. From

a room for

Mansion. If you

kids, let me know

and I'll arrange

to pick

words became,