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.

managed to shatter

me, Stewart," she said icily. "I'd rather spend my life

on the other

calm. "I made myself clear enough back in Ghana, Stewart.

then Stewart gave a low, humorless laugh. “Fine. This afternoon,

sharp," Briony replied

"Alright."

She ended the call.

courier send all the gifts

with lunch and fussed over

her pills, set an alarm, and lay

1:30. She washed her face, grabbed her

as she stepped

fall in

With

was heavy and dark, the last of the city's snow melted away,

waiting area, eyes flicking up to

o'clock, on

should be here any

...

pulled up in

parked nearby, then turned to

with his head lolling

and gently

rolled over, and mumbled,

Stewart arched an eyebrow.

in the scene, offered, "Looks like the little

the car with him so

suggestion-no sense dragging a tired child

as the words left his mouth, Stewart shot him a frosty

the end, Stewart got out-taking the drowsy