Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

“I didn't mean it like that." Briony pressed her lips together, sighing softly as she stood up. "I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but my mind's made up."

James stood too, watching her closely. "You're really sure about this?"

She nodded, her voice firm. "I used to worry about how I'd hide the surgery from you, but now that you know, I just ask that you keep this to yourself."

Seeing her resolve, James dropped the argument.

"Don't worry I won't say a word." He hesitated, then asked, "What time's your surgery tomorrow?"

"Nine."

"I'll drive you to the hospital in the morning."

"That's not necessary." Briony didn't want to trouble him. "Stella's already at the hospital. She'll make sure everything's set."

James shook his head. "Before they left, our mentors insisted I look after you. If you want me to keep this secret, at least let me be there. I'll only relax once I know you're out of surgery and safe."

Briony opened her mouth to protest, but James cut her off. "It's settled. If you say no, I'll call our mentors right now."

Briony: "..."

She sighed, realizing there was no point fighting it. She didn't want the two elders worrying about her, so she let James have his way.

next morning, 8:10

cruised steadily through

was quiet, the air heavy with unspoken

Milo sat quietly by

light, the Range Rover rolled to a gentle stop

flashed with an

James blurted out, "Did Stewart divorce you because of

out of her thoughts, glanced at the billboard,

kept calling her 'Mom Rosita.' Guess he's already accepted her as

"She's not a stepmom."

looked at her,

"Rosita's Irwin's biological mother."

were married, but Irwin is Rosita's son? That means... all this time, you were the

up together." Briony rubbed her temples,

nothing left to hide, so she laid it all out

for a good thirty seconds, jaw clenched, before finally muttering, "What

he wanted out of this marriage. And you? You spent five years

caught himself before finishing the

looked as distant as ever.