Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

When Briony stepped inside, everyone was there except for Little Nina, who was still at preschool.

Carney was busy making tea, while James and Stewart sat across from each other at the table.

As soon as James saw Briony, he shot her a look of annoyance, lips pursed in clear disapproval.

Briony understood him perfectly, but only pressed her lips together and ignored Stewart entirely.

Stewart, for his part, barely glanced at Briony before turning back to Carney and resuming their earlier conversation.

Carney, of course, was not oblivious to the tension pulsing through the room. He cleared his throat and made an effort to keep chatting with Stewart, as if nothing were amiss.

Stewart was, after all, The Antiquarian Society's legal representative-a meeting like this came with the territory, and Carney couldn't exactly refuse. Besides, Stewart had carefully steered clear of any mention of Briony or Little Nina since stepping through the door, as if he were simply here to share a cup of tea with Carney and discuss matters of artifact preservation.

Carney knew perfectly well why Stewart had come today, but since Stewart refused to broach the subject, Carney could only play dumb and go along with the charade.

Gwendolyn White, however, had no patience for such pretense. She thought Carney was giving Stewart far too much leeway.

Still, with outsiders present, all she did was shoot Carney a frosty glare before rising from her seat and walking over to Briony.

stopped in front of Briony, gave Crystal a

She just got back from overseas today." Then she turned to Crystal, "Crystal, this is my

an honor! I've seen your interviews-you're phenomenal. And you look even younger

Gwendolyn White laughed warmly, clasping Crystal's hands. "Since you're here, you must stay a few days. Make yourself at home, dear, don't

Crystal grinned. "Absolutely!"

her upstairs to

Gwendolyn White interjected. "Let's do it

...

the guest room upstairs, Gwendolyn White quietly closed

serious. "What's going

me and Little Nina to return with him to

not going back! If he tries to force you,

hesitating.

White's

thinking of getting

and Rosita are both

silent for a moment before