Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Have you heard of Irwin?" Rosita asked, her voice as innocent as ever. "He's the son Stewart and I had five years ago. Back then, my career was taking off, and Stewart didn't want me to lose momentum because of a baby-so this was the solution we came up with."

She looked at Ms. Hudson, wide-eyed and guileless. "Ms. Hudson, you've really misunderstood me. I'm not the other woman. Stewart and I grew up together— we've loved each other for years. Your daughter? She's not the wife, not really. She's just someone we asked to raise our child for us. Nothing more than a caretaker."

Julia stared at Rosita, eyes wide in disbelief.

"This can't be..." Julia shook her head, her voice trembling. "I don't believe you. Bryn would never be that foolish! If she was just taking care of your child, then why would she..."

Why would she let herself get pregnant?

Her Bryn couldn't be that naïve.

Clutching her aching chest, Julia struggled to breathe. “No. I don't believe it. I need to go home and talk to Bryn..."

She turned and stumbled toward the door.

"Ms. Hudson." Rosita darted forward and caught Julia's arm. "Don't rush off just yet. There's something else you should know."

tight, leaning in to

Julia froze mid-struggle.

released her, stepped back, and smiled sweetly as Julia's eyes widened in horror. "Let me introduce myself properly. My

by lightning. All the color drained from her

Julia's hand trembled as she pointed at

and pulled up a video-the one from yesterday, showing Briony kneeling at the Kensingtons'

for your treatment-let herself be humiliated for your

the phone, where the video played: Briony forced to her knees by

couldn't watch another

from his phone call, Julia

at the holiday gift basket on the table, frowned, and turned to

looked up at Stewart and shook

things between you and Ms. Kensington, but she wouldn't listen. She just

nodded and said