Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"I was free before, but you never showed," Stewart said flatly.

"That was a fluke," Briony shot back, frowning. "I'm available any time these days."

"Well, I'm not."

Briony didn't buy it. "Don't tell me you're so busy you can't even spare an hour to get the divorce papers signed."

"Irwin's been acting up lately. I really can't get away."

"It's just an hour."

"You brought Irwin into our lives. You know how he gets-when he throws a fit, it takes forever to calm him down."

Briony pressed her lips together. When she used to look after Irwin, he rarely threw tantrums. But when he did, he was stubborn, and it always took time and patience to talk him down.

"Of course, if you really want, I could bring Irwin along," Stewart continued, his voice drifting through the phone. "I just worry he'll get attached all over again once he sees you."

Briony was silent, taking a slow breath to steady herself. "Stewart, I don't want to go in circles. Just answer me-when are we finalizing the divorce?"

"Do you really have to go through with this?" he asked quietly.

She almost laughed in disbelief. "Have I not made myself clear enough?"

He hesitated, his voice dropping. "But you... you'll never be able to have children of your own now."

Briony gave a cold, sharp laugh. "So what?"

"If you'd just reconsider," Stewart said, suddenly solemn, "we don't have to get divorced. Irwin could always be your son. We could still be a family."

For a moment, Briony couldn't breathe. She honestly thought she must have misheard him.

So this was Stewart's version of sympathy? Because she couldn't have children anymore, he was willing to offer Irwin to her as some kind of consolation prize? She never realized a forged medical record could have such an impact.

again, Stewart managed to

me, Stewart," she said icily. "I'd rather spend my life alone than ever look your

silent on

eyes, swallowing her anger. Hands resting on her stomach, she spoke with a chilling calm. "I made myself clear enough back in Ghana, Stewart. People who

a low, humorless laugh. “Fine. This afternoon,

o'clock sharp," Briony replied

"Alright."

She ended the call.

all the gifts

only emerging when Gina arrived with lunch and fussed over

an alarm,

at 1:30. She washed her face, grabbed her bag, and headed out

she stepped out of the car and into city

to fall in

With

dark, the last of

area, eyes flicking up to the

on

should be here any

...

up

nearby, then turned to

glance at Irwin, who was fast asleep with his head

over and gently pinched Irwin's tiny

over, and mumbled,

Stewart arched an eyebrow.

in the scene, offered, "Looks like the little guy's wiped out. If you

with him

kind suggestion-no sense dragging a tired

left his mouth,

end, Stewart got out-taking the drowsy Irwin