Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony gave him a deep, respectful bow. "Dr. Clarke, thank you so much for coming."

Cedric Clarke scratched the back of his head, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "Actually, I just ran into Stewart and the others in the parking lot."

At his words, Briony's brow furrowed.

"The others?" Stella had a bad feeling. "Who's with Stewart?"

Before Cedric could answer, a commotion sounded at the door.

Stewart walked in with Rosita at his side, and Irwin trailing after them-his forehead still bandaged.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me." Stella rolled up her sleeves, eyes narrowing. "If I don't lose my temper over this, then—"

Stella's mother, Scarlett Joyner, swooped in just in time, grabbing her arm and hissing, "What do you think you're doing? This is a funeral. Get a hold of yourself."

Stella gritted her teeth, barely keeping her anger in check. "They're obviously here to cause trouble!"

"The dead deserve respect," Scarlett warned. "Let's just see what they're up to. Don't do anything rash."

With no choice, Stella forced herself to swallow her outrage, at least for now.

and Irwin to the front, accepting a candle from one of the funeral staff, preparing

planting herself squarely in front

and Rosita both stopped,

no right to mourn my mother," Briony spat, her glare filled with utter

say something, but

"Are you insane? It's bad enough you showed up, but

Stewart muttered.

a full three seconds before finding his voice. "Unbelievable... Stewart, it's no wonder you're getting divorced. Honestly, you deserve

up the sarcasm in Cedric's

Stewart had completely missed the point.

distracted, Rosita stood awkwardly by herself, her eyes red and brimming with tears,

"I know it's hard to accept, but Stewart and I are truly here

She lifted Julia's portrait and held it right in front of Rosita. "Rosita, do you dare look my mother in the eye and swear you didn't hurt her?

her brow creasing. She quickly looked

her voice trembling with innocence. "Ms. Kensington, please calm down. If Ms. Hudson were here, she wouldn't want to

me a