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.

morning, 8:10

cruised steadily through the city streets

car was quiet, the air heavy with unspoken

at Briony in the passenger seat. Milo sat quietly by the window, gazing out at

the Range Rover rolled to a

billboard on the building ahead flashed with an advertisement featuring Rosita's flawless,

to contain his curiosity, James blurted out, "Did Stewart divorce you

glanced at the billboard, then quickly

kid yesterday-he kept calling her 'Mom Rosita.' Guess he's already accepted her

"She's not a stepmom."

at her,

"Rosita's Irwin's biological mother."

married, but Irwin

together." Briony rubbed her temples, suddenly

so she

thirty seconds, jaw clenched, before finally

attorney-he managed to get everything he wanted out of this marriage. And you? You spent five years raising

finishing the thought,

looked as distant as