Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The moment the news broke, it instantly set the internet ablaze.

Within minutes, new gossip threads appeared online.

This time, it was photos of Briony and Maynard carrying baby Lori into a hospital.

A striking couple, arms full with a newborn-though Lori's face was turned away, the image was unmistakably that of a picture-perfect family.

Based on these photos, internet sleuths started piecing together a timeline: half a year ago, Briony had abruptly handed over management of Starlight Entertainment to Maynard, selling him five percent of the shares at a heavily discounted "favor price." Not long after, she'd vanished from the public eye. Now she'd returned to the company, baby in tow and Maynard constantly at her side. The mounting "evidence" left the public with only one conclusion: Briony and Maynard's relationship was all but officially confirmed.

Briony barely slept a wink that night. She was finally drifting off around five in the morning when her phone started ringing insistently.

It was Carey.

"Ms. Kensington, there's trouble!"

Briony's eyes snapped open. "What happened?"

"You and Mr. Maynard are trending online!"

Briony sat up in bed, but before she could respond, someone knocked at her door.

"It's me."

Kicking off the covers, Briony padded toward the door, phone pressed to her ear. "What's going on?" she asked Carey.

now, and some are even saying Lori is your daughter!" Briony

was Maynard, dressed immaculately in a

sight of her on the phone and frowned. "You've

the phone. "Carey, I'll call you

hung up and took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Let me get changed. Wait for me outside," she said

back to give her

pulled up

need to search. Every headline, every trending topic was about her and

had clearly been stalking them—and this was

name that came to mind was Xenia

down her phone, grabbed fresh clothes from her wardrobe, and changed. Five

to his ear. "I don't care what it

Briony approached him. "Maynard."

stopped and looked

face was calm. "Don't bother trying to

ended

to face her. "Do you realize what

gossip sites

?.ne

saying Lori is our child.

matters. Unmarried mother-if they

you with that..."

eyes were steady. "Maynard, Lori