Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

January 15th on the old calendar-Briony's mother, Julia Hudson, was finally coming home.

Stella had taken the day off to go with Briony to pick up Julia.

The weather forecast had been spot on: the day was glorious, clear and bright.

Sunlight broke through the thick winter clouds and spilled across the ground, turning the snow into a dazzling sea of diamonds.

Outside the gates of Northborough's women's prison, Briony stood wrapped in a cream-colored wool coat. She looked delicate, her long, silky hair swaying gently in the wind.

"Star, what time is it?" Briony's eyes were fixed on the towering brick walls ahead, her tightly clasped hands betraying her nerves.

Stella gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It's only eight-thirty. She'll be out soon. Try not to worry."

As the words left her lips, the heavy iron gate rattled.

A smaller side door swung open.

Briony's eyelashes fluttered. She broke into a run.

"Mom!"

Julia paused in surprise when she saw her, but her face quickly broke into a smile. "Bryn, you're here."

start fresh," the young guard said kindly, then turned and walked

clanged shut

the down jacket she'd been carrying over Julia's shoulders. "Mom, I'm here

at Stella. She stared for a moment before recognition dawned. "Star, is that

"It's me! Bryn and I came

girl. I don't know what Bryn would've done without you all these years. Thank

practically sisters. Don't feel bad. Let's get you home first. Bryn bought a new place and decorated it herself. It's cozy

hers, Stella's in the other. When she smiled, the lines at the corners of her

Dolphin Cove.

chimed as it reached the

in first and lit the fireplace, positioning it right by the entrance. "Julia! Step over the fire-leave the bad luck behind. From now on, only

eyes filled with tears as she nodded and stepped over the flames,

home she'd so lovingly prepared. In that moment, emotion overwhelmed her; tears spilled down her

her face

years—she had finally brought her mother out of that cold, unforgiving place, back into

home with no Kensingtons. No Hudsons. Just the two of them,

a tour of the new apartment, showing off every

lay folded on the bed-Briony had picked them out herself. Stella handed them to Julia

you take a shower and change into something fresh? Later, Bryn and I will take you out

clothes and held them in

she stood there, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Bryn has suffered so much because