Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Yeah."

"There are only four days left until New Year's Eve," Stella said, her expression worried. "You really should stay with Ms. Hudson through the holidays before you even think about surgery, don't you think?"

"I looked it up," Briony replied, voice calm but tired. "I just need to keep warm and take it easy for a while. Other than that, there's not much I have to worry about."

"But still-"

"Star, can you please ask for me?" Briony looked at Stella earnestly. "Scheduling surgery is a huge headache. Waiting another week... it just feels like forever."

After all, it was her own child. Every day she waited, her attachment grew a little stronger.

She was terrified afraid that if she dragged this out any longer, she might change her mind.

Stella wasn't sure this was right, but seeing how determined Briony was, she could only agree to try.

When Director Grant heard that Briony had just come out of the ER with stitches still fresh on her forehead and was asking about surgery that very afternoon, she didn't just refuse. She tore into Stella over the phone.

Stella hung up, lips pouting in defeat. "See? Absolutely not! This isn't a joke, Briony, you have a rare blood type! I haven't been chewed out by my mentor this badly since I became a full-time resident!"

"Sorry, I just "

with an exasperated eye roll. "You've been apologizing to me ever since you woke up. If you're not tired of saying it, I'm already tired

lips together

case on the blood bank's radar. After the holidays, if you're still sure you want to go through with it, just tell

gently. "Alright. We'll talk

stopped by

back to work, leaving the two

he cleared his throat, hesitated, then finally spoke up. "Um, Stewart came to

a few seconds, she looked at Cedric. "Dr. Clarke, can I ask you

answering honestly. "You know, I don't think

twisted in a faint,

Just as she'd expected.

to think it was because he was busy with work,

out, Briony finally understood. From the moment she'd begged Stewart to defend her mother, he'd already set everything

savior, and she'd thought it was salvation -never realizing he was just casting

the marriage Stewart had woven for her, convinced she

her battered and scarred without her even realizing it, while Stewart-the one who'd spun the web-came and went as he pleased, always in control,

up the pieces, her pain invisible to