Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"How on earth did you and Stewart ever become friends?" Stella looked up at him again, her tone half incredulous, half teasing. "The two of you couldn't be more different-yet somehow you've been thick as thieves for years. It's honestly a miracle."

Cedric Clarke just stared at her, speechless.

She narrowed her eyes, suddenly suspicious. "Wait, don't tell me you've just been faking it this whole time?" She jabbed a finger at his chest. "Are you going to spring a childhood sweetheart on me one day? Or maybe some college-era first love? Or I don't know, a secret fiancée from your family's old friends—mmph!"

This time, he silenced her the most effective way he knew: pressing his lips against hers, stealing her words with a kiss that was deep and insistent. He didn't let her go until she was gasping for breath.

"Star, you can doubt my character if you want, but don't you dare question how much I love you," Cedric said, his voice low and steady. "If I ever betray you, may

"Before you start swearing oaths, maybe just write a will first," Stella interrupted, yawning as she closed her eyes.

Cedric blinked, momentarily thrown off.

"Make me your primary beneficiary," she added, stifling another yawn. "And take out a million-dollar life insurance policy while you're at it-make sure I'm the one who gets the payout."

Cedric just stared at her, at a loss for words.

"Don't make promises," Stella turned away, her voice calm. "Everyone thinks they'll never break their word when they're in love. But the truth is, love keeps people together for a while, and when it's gone, you're left with broken pieces scattered everywhere just like leftovers in the fridge, one little piece at a time."

Cedric gaped at her. "Star, you really have to stop watching those true crime documentaries late at night. It's bad for our marriage."

He gathered her into his arms, burying his face in her neck, breathing in her scent. "I just want to spend my whole life with you. You're my Star, my wife, and I'll only ever love you."

Stella opened her eyes and let out a quiet sigh.

way we started was straight out of a soap opera. Honestly,

faith in myself—I don't know how long I'll

promise you forever, so don't promise it to me. If you ever regret this,

"Stella!"

over, pinning her beneath him, voice threateningly low. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'm really going

looked utterly unafraid. Tilting her head back, she bared

that he would never hurt her, not even a little. Finally, unable to resist, he bent down and bit her softly on

Cedric, what are you, a dog?"

dog." Cedric huffed, rolling onto his side and pulling her close again. "I just marked you. This life, the next, and the one after

retaliated by

yelp worthy of a

Aster, who began to fuss. Stella promptly kicked Cedric out of bed. "You

next morning, Cedric was already out the

curled up with Aster after his morning bottle and went back

and James

and Little Nina stayed behind at

Ferdinand had called repeatedly. Briony ignored every

sent

meet? I'd like to talk about your