"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

my choice. Even now, if Xenia

If you want to call me selfish, fine—maybe I am.

stand the thought of our kids growing up

trembled as she gazed at him, silent tears streaming down

face.

as an excuse, never once

dumb. After everything they'd been through,

for her,

couldn't bear the weight of

or at least

Love tangled up with a

if you say it,

tears away and

a steady gaze. "If you

only saved me for the kids,

what I'll believe.

you anything, then

that we're even. I can

kind

want to Jive. You're right nothing

than that.

it. I'll accept all

as though an invisible hand was squeezing

today, you're Xenia

I

of our

remarried, we have to

distance. From now

be a room for you

Mansion. If

the kids, let me know ahead

I'll arrange it—or you

someone to pick

her words

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