Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"You—!" Rosita, ever the drama queen, held herself back at the last second, her curse dying in her throat. The next moment, the call cut off.

Briony calmly saved a recording of the conversation.

She'd hit record the instant she saw Rosita's name flash on the screen. Dealing with Rosita was like swatting at a persistent fly-annoying, gross, impossible to ignore, but ultimately harmless. For a while, Briony had thought simply keeping her distance would be enough. But lately, she'd realized people like Rosita never took a hint; the more you ignored them, the bolder they got.

So, Briony had decided she wouldn't stay silent anymore. Not that she'd stoop to Rosita's level and start a feud-she didn't have the energy for petty drama. But as the saying goes, play with fire and you'll eventually get burned.

She was sure of it: Rosita's comeuppance would come soon enough.

...

That evening, Briony had plans to meet Stella for dinner.

Stella's car pulled up outside just before six. James was with her.

Spotting James lounging in the backseat, Briony buckled herself into the

passenger seat and turned around. "Feeling better?"

"Was discharged today!" James declared with pride, chin held high. "Dr. Clarke said my recovery was nothing short of miraculous!"

Briony grinned. "That's the perk of being young-fast healing."

"Exactly!" James leaned forward eagerly. "So, what's for dinner tonight? I've been living on bland hospital food for weeks. Tonight, I want real food. Meat. Lots of it!"

Stella chimed in, "How about that bistro we went to last time? Both of you need something nourishing—one just out of the hospital, the other expecting. Their menu's perfect."

"I'm

announced magnanimously. "Our goddaughter's needs

eyes at him in the rearview

"I'm sure it'll be a girl-actually, they'll all

and Stella exchanged

resist teasing, "If all the babies turn out to be boys,

"Don't say

mood light and easy thanks to James's

the restaurant, the three settled into a private booth and browsed

barely pausing to talk. It was obvious his hospital stay had

middle of nowhere on assignment," Stella groaned, picking at her

"You're

you mean, 'you too'?" Stella frowned.

glancing at James. "My professor recommended me for a documentary

James said, swallowing a bite of steak. "It's a national project-fantastic opportunity!

James might object, but his

for the National Cultural Heritage Board?" Stella asked, her eyes shining

"Hardly. It's just a documentary, not

can't even enjoy my food, knowing I'll be stuck in the

long will you be

Quentin asked me personally. I couldn't say no. The