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."

only a fragment and leaned

"It's nothing."

river. "It's getting late. Let's

her, but the night was so dark

Skybreeze Retreat, they found Stella

to see Stella sitting on the floor, playing

hurried over,

fine," Briony tried to reassure her with a small smile. "Why did

Cedric's going to be swamped with work for the next few days, and there's not much else I can do at least I can keep you and

much happening on my end. You really didn't need to

as well as she did, she might have

me," Stella said, tugging Briony up to

pulled Briony into a

tight hug. "Cry

a few seconds, then gently pushed

studying her

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

"You really

hate." Briony shook her head. "The moment I heard

my feelings just...

what, your heart died

look out

night was pitch black, nothing visible in the

voice sounded soft, almost fragile, in the

dies, that's it. Whether you grieve or not doesn't change anything. I'm not devastated by Stewart's death. It just feels... unresolved. It shouldn't

hand. "You still

Briony didn't deny it.