Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Heh." Stella actually let out a laugh, exasperated. "All of you-honestly, you're all wrapped around that little brat's finger!"

"He's Stewart's last line in the sand," Cedric Clarke replied, his tone serious.

Stella fell silent.

It was a long moment before she finally asked, "Cedric, can I trust you?"

"Just this once, trust me," Cedric said solemnly. "Listen, if you can talk Bryn into agreeing to Stewart's terms, I promise I'll keep an eye on things from my end too."

Stella pressed her lips together, thinking for a few seconds before she asked, "Do you know why Stewart insists on going to Ghana?"

Cedric could more or less guess Stewart's real motive.

But he knew better than to say anything before Stewart left.

If he told her, Bryn would never agree to go.

"I honestly don't know," Cedric lied, feigning ignorance. "I'll try to ask around for you, okay?"

"You think he'd actually tell you if you asked?"

Cedric gave a helpless chuckle. "Who knows? Chances are... he won't."

sighed. "Our Bryn really does have the worst luck-ending up with someone who's both a jerk *and* impossible to shake. Just watching her go through this makes me want to swear

laugh. "Don't worry. There are still plenty of decent men out

the car. "Anyway, I need to get back and figure out how to talk Bryn around. I'll let you go

"Alright."

as the call ended, Cedric

several times before Stewart finally

voice was rough and

Cedric blurted out, half-joking, half-shocked. "Did you bug my house

out a low, humorless laugh, his breath

your voice sound like that? Is it another migraine?" Cedric frowned, concerned.

"It's nothing."

you anymore. Those three conditions you set-each one more outrageous than the last! I'm not just giving you a hard time, Stewart, but you're only making Bryn lose more faith

doesn't matter," Stewart cut in, his tone unyielding. "I made my decision, and I'm not backing

wanted to let loose. There was no point. When Stewart dug his heels in,

to talk to Bryn for you. That's as much as I can do, man. So listen, even if it's just for my sake-

a long silence on

his word. He was just about to lose his temper when Stewart's low voice finally

"Okay."