Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Stewart's hand clenched into a fist at his side, as if her words had struck something deep inside him.

"It's a pity-you're wrong," he said quietly.

Briony stared at him, her eyes brimming with scorn.

"If you truly understood the legend behind the Ghanaian divorce ritual, you'd realize just how absurd this little ceremony you've arranged really is."

His voice was low and heavier than she'd ever heard. "I just... wanted us to have something to remember. A way to mark what we had."

He searched her face, desperate, his gaze taking on a wild glint. "Briony, after five years of marriage, you can't tell me there's nothing left between us."

"Something between us?" Briony gave a sharp, bitter laugh, her eyes flashing with unshed tears. "Stewart, now that you realize you can't use my bond with Irwin to sway me, you want to play the 'husband and wife' card instead?"

Stewart's jaw tightened, his eyes fixed on hers.

She continued, voice cold and unwavering: "But when was there ever love between us, Stewart?"

breathing for a

day-to the place where they began their

distance between them. "But Stewart, we never loved each other. We never even had a real wedding. So this whole charade of a divorce ritual? It's nothing

as if to protest, but nothing came out.

a mother to Irwin-it all ends today." Briony's words were icy, final. "From now on, Stewart, you're nothing to me but the man who indirectly caused my mother's death. We're better off

young boy sitting off to the side. One look was

can't keep pretending he's my son. So from now on, please take care of your own

and strode toward the

out instinctively, but he was a moment too

hair slipped through his fingers, leaving his hand empty-and his heart

"Mom, where are you going? I'm sorry, I promise I'll be good! Please don't

Her steps were resolute,

Stella was waiting for her, nodding in silent support. Briony took the

to the edge of the beach, where her wedding dress lay abandoned