Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The Clarke family knew a reputable spiritual advisor. Arranging the burial plot fell to Cedric Clarke.

By the time they left the police station, the rain had finally stopped.

Cedric unlocked the car and turned to Briony. "Are you going to the funeral?"

"I'll go on behalf of the children," she replied.

Cedric pressed his lips together, nodded, and slid into the driver's seat. The car pulled away, leaving the others behind.

Carl was inconsolable. This six-foot-tall man crouched on the curb beside the black Maybach, his broad shoulders trembling as he sobbed like a lost child.

Watching him, James let out a heavy sigh. "Carl truly was loyal to Stewart, right to the end."

Briony walked over, rummaged through her purse, and handed Carl a packet of tissues. "Here-wipe your face. You need to pull yourself together. Stewart's gone, but the firm is still here. He trusted you deeply. You have to honor that and keep the practice running."

Carl stared at her in surprise, then his grief erupted anew.

"Ms. Kensington, our Mr. Wentworth is gone-he's really gone..."

Briony remained unchanged, her expression calm and unreadable.

long across the wet pavement. The light caught her face, hiding her eyes

composed while he was falling apart? Didn't she love Mr. Wentworth at all? Even if she no longer loved

to question Briony. If Mr. Wentworth could hear, he'd come back to haunt him for

was planning to go to Switzerland for treatment. Why-why did this have

make sense of it. All he felt was the bitterness of fate's

off to the side, quietly lighting a slim cigarette. She held it between elegant fingers, but didn't bother to take a drag. Staring at Briony's unwavering calm, Lorna finally snapped. She flung the cigarette to the damp ground, where the ember

over, she grabbed Briony's arm and spun her

Lorna's eyes were red as she searched Briony's

was nothing. No hint of pain broke through Briony's gentle,

out a shaky, bitter laugh, her eyes shining with tears. "Briony,

you loved, once. Even if you're separated now, even if he hurt

Briony didn't argue.

James rushed over, stepping

torna! Bryn doesn't owe her ex-husband a public display of grief. And you said

hurt her. The only reason she's here tonight is for the children. Attending Stewart's funeral is more

at James,