Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

If it was about the children, Briony needed to know the details. "What is it?"

"Xenia Cooper has an eight-year-old son."

Briony froze for a moment.

An eight-year-old son...

Her brows drew together. "So you're just stepping in as someone's ready-made stepfather?"

Stewart cleared his throat. "That's how it will look to outsiders."

Briony pressed her lips into a thin line.

Her mind went straight to Irwin Wentworth.

That boy had once been the fatal crack in her and Stewart's marriage.

Even though Irwin was eventually sent away, the arguments and misunderstandings he'd brought with him still lingered vividly in Briony's memory.

"Stewart, do what you like for appearances' sake, but when it comes to the children, I expect you not to disappoint them."

"Don't worry, I won't." Stewart's expression softened, as if he, too, recalled the turmoil Irwin had caused them, and he dared not conceal anything from her.

deeply. Eight years ago, there was a car accident. The eldest

Briony's breath caught.

her

moment, Briony didn't know what

struggle. Xenia fled abroad to have the child in secret. She raised him overseas all these years and only recently brought him back, still keeping his identity quiet. But now,

frowned. "So she wants to claim the boy as yours and

He stared at her with dark, unreadable

was answer

"Stewart, do

looked away, guilt shadowing his face. "Bryn, I'll

between you and our children. If they don't mind, it's not my place

gaze. "From today onward, if we meet again, you'll be Mrs. Cooper's husband. I'll address you as M Wentworth, and

Stewart was stunned.

another glance. She turned away and walked into the house, not once looking

was final. After this, Stewart wouldn't even have the

His tall figure looked achingly lonely in

...

bedroom and shut the

back pressed to the wood, she slid slowly to the

covered her face with her hands, tears soaking through