Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The crowd around them seemed to freeze in place.

Above their heads, paper lanterns drifted into the night sky while farther out, floating candles carried wishes downstream on the river.

A cool evening breeze brushed Briony's cheek, lifting a few strands of her hair.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she pulled her gaze away from the glowing lights and looked up at James. "Let's go."

James glanced down at her, his arm still protectively around her shoulders.

"You didn't get hurt back there, did you?"

"No," Briony replied quietly, eyes lowered. "Thank you."

James swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "There are too many people here. I'll help you get out."

That brief scare had left her a little shaken. At a moment like this, Briony couldn't be bothered with propriety; she simply nodded. "Alright."

James guided her through the crowd, one arm shielding her shoulders, the other held out in front to clear a path.

Behind them, an intense, cold stare followed their every move, lingering until they finally broke free of the throng and reached the car.

The door closed, shutting out the noise-and that unsettling gaze.

Briony leaned back in her seat, eyes closed, looking exhausted.

James glanced at her, lips pressing into a thin line. After a moment, he turned and looked toward the back seat. “Where do you live, Hannah? I'll take you home first."

Hannah beamed and rattled off her

Hannah off, James turned

fallen asleep, her eyes closed the entire time,

off the gas, driving slower and

Bzzz-

came from

her bag,

had just reclaimed a significant artifact from overseas. The piece needed restoration-an

and James could do the job justice, and asked if Briony could return to Silveridge with James the

hanging up, she relayed the plan to

up tomorrow morning?" he

at my studio first-I

"Alright."

Rover pulled up in front of her

get out, but Briony waved him off. "No need. There's a

...

doors opened on her floor, Briony

two steps before stopping

her studio door. Briony's brow

bought this for you. You

lantern. "Then let it stay forgotten. You didn't need

dark eyes fixed on her. "It's

tell Stewart was in a bad mood. After all, they'd