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 with

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

him in the

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

exchanged a look,

turn out

James protested, "Don't say

laughter filled the car, the mood light and

and browsed the menu. It

It was obvious his hospital stay had left him craving

be off to the middle of nowhere on

paused. "You're leaving that

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

at James. "My professor recommended me for

a bite of steak. "It's a national project-fantastic opportunity!

James might object, but his easygoing response

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

just a documentary, not my big

Stella sighed. "I can't even enjoy my food, knowing I'll be stuck in the mountains for a

will you be gone?"

asked me personally. I couldn't say no. The only upside