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

icily. "I'd rather spend my life alone

silent on

Hands resting on her stomach, she spoke with a chilling calm. "I made myself clear

a pause, then Stewart gave a low,

o'clock sharp," Briony replied

"Alright."

She ended the call.

Hannah to have a courier send all the gifts back to Southcreek

noon, only emerging when Gina arrived with lunch and fussed over her to remember

her pills, set an alarm,

washed her face, grabbed her bag, and headed

documents as she stepped out of

fall in

With

and dark, the last of the city's snow melted away, Northborough's rainy

waiting area, eyes flicking up

o'clock, on

should be here

...

Mercedes pulled up

glanced at the white BMW parked nearby, then turned to Stewart.

asleep with his head lolling on the

reached over and gently pinched

frowned, rolled over, and mumbled,

Stewart arched an eyebrow.

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

stay in the car with him so you can go in on

a tired child

soon as the words left his mouth, Stewart shot him

end, Stewart got out-taking the