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 good

Bryn," James announced magnanimously. "Our goddaughter's needs

at him in the rearview mirror. "What

James shot back, scandalized. "I'm sure it'll be a girl-actually, they'll all be

Stella exchanged a look, stifling

turn out to

James protested, "Don't say

the mood light and easy thanks to James's

a private booth and browsed the menu. It wasn't

It was obvious his hospital stay had left him craving a

I'll be off to the middle of nowhere on assignment," Stella

paused. "You're leaving that

'you too'?"

Silveridge," Briony explained, glancing at James. "My professor recommended me for a documentary shoot

of steak. "It's a national project-fantastic opportunity! Don't worry

James might object, but his

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

a documentary, not my big

my food,

you be gone?" Briony

don't want to go, but Quentin asked me personally. I couldn't