Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

James didn't say another word. He turned and walked away.

...

On the way back, Briony suddenly said she wanted to stop by Pearbrook.

James pulled the car over by the roadside near the river.

He walked with her across the crosswalk and onto the sidewalk that bordered Pearbrook.

Late summer nights after a storm always carried a sticky dampness to the city. The river ran swift, its waters churning rather than calm.

The rain had only just let up. There was no one else by the river.

Briony stood gazing out at the dark water, silent for a long time.

James simply stayed by her side, keeping quiet.

Across Pearbrook was Briony's new home; just a crosswalk separated them from

it.

The damp night breeze tugged at her long hair.

Briony lifted a hand to brush the strands from her cheek.

Cedric Clarke's words from the police station echoed in her mind-

[Stewart always said he didn't want a funeral. He just asked me to scatter his ashes in Pearbrook. But now...]

"But now there's nothing left. His last wish can't even be fulfilled."

murmured the words, barely audible. James caught only a fragment and leaned in, his voice low, "What did you

"It's nothing."

her eyes on the river. "It's getting late. Let's

looked at her, but the night was so dark he couldn't

returned to Skybreeze Retreat, they found Stella

sitting on the floor, playing

her, she jumped up and hurried over, worry etched across her

to reassure her with a small smile. "Why did you come

I had to come!" Stella replied. "I brought the nanny too. Cedric's going to be swamped with work for the next few days,

not much happening on my end.

as well as she did,

upstairs with me," Stella said, tugging Briony up to the second floor without waiting for

Briony into a bedroom

tight hug. "Cry if you want. I'm

still for a few seconds, then gently

frowned, studying her

sighed. "Star, I'm not feeling that kind

blinked. "You really hate Stewart that

shook her head. "The moment I

my

what, your heart died

look out

was pitch black,

almost fragile, in

grieve or not doesn't change anything. I'm not devastated by

squeezed her hand. "You still care about

Briony didn't deny it.