Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"There's nothing left between us," Briony said, her voice as calm and even as ever. "Whether I forgive him or not—it makes no difference to me. If he lives, the child still has a father, and that's all that matters for the child's sake. If he dies, maybe the child will feel the loss, but children grow up. Eventually, they all learn that death comes for everyone."

"Is it because of Rosita that you won't forgive him?" Lorna's tone grew urgent. "Honestly, Stewart didn't care that much about Rosita. Everything he did with her was just for show, nothing more!"

Briony turned and gazed out the window.

Lorna kept pressing on. "It wasn't a coincidence that Rosita went back home. Stewart set the whole thing up-"

"Don't." Briony cut her off, turning to meet Lorna's eyes. "I used to care about Rosita because I loved Stewart. Now I don't love Stewart anymore, so whatever happened between him and Rosita doesn't matter to me."

"But you only divorced because of her, didn't you?"

Briony frowned. "Is that what he told you?"

Lorna shook her head. “Actually, he doesn't really talk about you anymore. The only thing he ever says is that we shouldn't bother you. Coming here today was my own idea, so please don't blame him for it..."

"Lorna," Briony interrupted again, her voice quiet but steady, "did you look into my life?"

Lorna froze, caught off guard. "How... how did you know?"

"The way you look at me now-it's different," Briony replied, a faint smile curling at her lips. "So, you know about me seeing a therapist, too?"

Lorna fell silent.

pitying me now?" Briony

not it," Lorna stammered, rubbing her forehead awkwardly. "It's just, I think both you and Stewart have had such a hard time. Neither of you came from a happy family. Seeing what you've both been through, I almost feel like being an orphan isn't so bad. I met my brother

to heal," Briony said quietly. "And if that healing depends on someone else, I don't

never did promise Lorna that she would try to talk sense

at the door. "If Stewart really

her

clenched. "Then why not try to help

I do-Stewart isn't looking

gentle, her words drifting out on

really wants," she said softly, "is for me to come back.

cloudless blue, the sun

lingered in Lorna's mind long after she'd

realized, with a

she'd done

tried to guilt trip

to save

turning away with

by Lorna's meddling.