Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 713

Stewart didn't deny it.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Bryn, I know this is my fault. Give me some time-let's talk, just the two of us."

Maynard's patience snapped. He stepped forward, blocking Briony from Stewart. "Stewart, are you seriously still using the kid to threaten her? Have you got no shame?"

Stewart let out a cold laugh. "I'm the one using the child to pressure her? Or do you maybe have your own agenda here?"

Maynard's eyes narrowed. He stood his ground, refusing to back down an inch.

The two men were about the same height and squared off, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

A couple of Maynard's relatives just stood there, staring in disbelief.

Finally, Damian stepped in to break the standoff.

"It seems we really didn't think this through," Damian said gently, turning to Briony. "Ms. Kensington, I apologize for how abrupt we've been. Your future should be decided by you and Maynard—it's not our place to interfere. Here's what we'll do: we'll leave the wedding gifts for now. If you and Maynard are truly meant for each other, then wonderful. If you're not ready to marry... consider them a token from our family to Lori."

He managed to defuse it gracefully, and Briony couldn't embarrass the elders further.

She nodded in agreement, then turned to Maynard. "You should take your family home."

looked frustrated, but for now, he had no choice but to

and his four

and Stewart

stood a few paces apart, facing each other

spoke, her

settled on Stewart's chest.

at the end of her rope. "When you married Xenia

Stewart said quietly, eyes lowered. "I just don't want you to make another sacrifice for the sake of

time we'd keep things civil and

of Maynard's family your idea

idea of respect?"

a

just never change,

hard to

you

why do you keep

so hard for you to show me any

she turned and strode toward the

"Bryn-!"

after her, grabbing

go of me!" Briony struggled to free herself,