Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Stewart's gravesite had been chosen by a renowned spiritualist, whose services Cedric Clarke had secured at great expense.

Stewart, in life, had made it clear he didn't want a funeral. His only wish was for his ashes to be scattered along the banks of Pearbrook.

That, however, proved impossible. In the end, Cedric honored Stewart's wishes as best he could.

Briony quietly took on the responsibility for all the expenses-from the burial plot to the simple ceremony itself.

Cedric had called her, insisting he wanted to contribute, a gesture of brotherhood and remembrance. After some thought, Briony allowed him to cover a small portion.

As Stella once said, people are complicated. Stewart wasn't just a father to his two children; he was also a friend, a mentor, a colleague. The lives he touched were proof he'd truly been here.

Briony couldn't refuse others the chance to express their respect for Stewart. On the day of the funeral, a fine mist drizzled from a gray sky.

The ceremony was intimate and unadorned.

Those present were few: Cedric Clarke, Briony, James, Carl, Lorna, Carol, and the directors of two orphanages.

been the one to reach out to

years. When he learned of his illness,

care.

tow, each child clutching a handmade

the appointed hour-chosen by the spiritualist-Briony approached the grave, wearing a simple black dress, two white flowers pinned

the one he'd worn to countless important moments in his life, holding it close on behalf of his

gentle guidance, she laid the suit into the

finally set, it was simple and

children's white paper flowers soon blanketed the grave in a

by Fred, but he was always Grandpa Wentworth's favorite grandson.

"Word got out somehow. The family elders have been calling me nonstop, hinting they want Mr. Wentworth buried in the family

Wentworth Group in ruins, the family's only thinking

Let Stewart rest here, in peace.

Briony listened in silence.

lingered on the black-and-white photograph on the gravestone a copy of his ID photo brows furrowed, lips unsmiling. She realized, with a pang, that