Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

A sleek black Bentley cruised down the city boulevard.

Inside, James sat in the passenger seat, wrestling with himself before finally blurting out, "What's really going on between you and Xenia Cooper? Did you two actually get married?"

Stewart kept his eyes on the road. "The marriage announcement's already public. Whether we signed the papers or not, what difference does it make to you all?"

James rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Fair point. Right now, everyone in Northborough—no, the whole country-knows you, Stewart, have become the Cooper family's son-in-law."

Stewart said nothing.

Seeing Stewart had no intention of elaborating, James gave a short, exasperated laugh. "Look, I get that things between you and Xenia are just business, but ten years? How many decades does a person get? Are you just that confident in yourself, or are you betting everything on Bryn?"

"I didn't think that far ahead. All I wanted was to get the bone marrow-save her life."

James shook his head. "You know what you'll get for this? Bryn's guilt. But what good is that? Bryn can't wait ten years for you. Besides, Maynard's been relentless in pursuing her lately. Bryn may be slow to warm up, but ten years? That's more than enough time for Maynard to win her over."

Stewart's jaw tightened, his hands clenching the steering wheel.

"If Maynard can make her happy, then I'll wish them well," he said quietly.

"Oh, come on, drop the act." James rolled his eyes. "We're both men—we know love always comes with a bit of possessiveness. As long as you still love Bryn, you'll never let go of that sliver of hope. Stewart, you're really something. If you truly wanted to let Bryn go, you should've kept the whole arrangement a secret. She's too softhearted. Now that she knows, even if she acts cold and decisive, deep down she'll always feel she owes you."

James let out a heavy sigh. "What a mess. Two people trapped by a piece of paper."

Stewart's breathing grew shallow. "I just wanted to save her. There wasn't a second donor, and time was running out. As for the contract, I meant to keep it from her, but I didn't expect Xenia Cooper to go straight to Bryn and spill everything."

"Tch, there's one thing I really don't get about you." James sounded thoroughly put out. "Why do you always attract the most complicated women?"

Stewart frowned.

"Xenia Cooper-brilliant businesswoman, but still ruled by her heart?"

"She's all about the deal. We're not even living together-I'm at Southcreek Manor."

"Oh?" James raised an eyebrow. "So the marriage certificate they released is a fake?"

Stewart stayed silent.

"Come on, you can tell me. I swear I won't breathe a word."

Stewart shot him a sidelong glance. "That's between me and Xenia. Mind your own business."

James let out a snort of laughter. "Fine, keep pretending you're made of stone. See how that works out when you're old and alone."

No matter how James tried to provoke him after that, Stewart responded only with silence.

After dropping James off at the hospital, Stewart drove away without a word.

For the next few days, James stayed by Briony's side, helping her arrange Mary's funeral.

Stella was overseas, but Briony managed to reach her once by phone.

Stella's

Univee was faintly weary. She y of Sydney and woweene

said she'd already enrolled at the

coming home anytime soon.

be

The moment Briony heard that, she knew things between Stella and Cedric Clarke had finally hit a breaking point.

No matter how impulsive Stella

could be, she would never leave behind. Yet this time, she'dnoveldrama

Aster

slipped away to study abroad

without a word.

Not even to Briony. That said everything about how suddenly—and how resolutely -Stella had left.

Briony offered a few gentle words of

comfort, resolving to visit

once Mary's affairs were stralia

get to the bottom of things.

Mary's funeral was simple but dignified, with all the proper rites.

Three days later, under a steady spring rain, Mary was laid to rest.

Briony stood under a black umbrella, clad in somber black. Her silhouette looked strikingly delicate against the gray sky.