Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Pfft-

The drink Cedric Clarke had just taken a sip of sprayed out in a fine mist.

He coughed, spluttering. "Cough-cough—"

Stewart shot him a disapproving look, eyebrows drawn tight.

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Cedric tried to catch his breath. "Jeez, I nearly choked! If you're jealous of how great my life is right now, just say so!"

"I'm being serious," Stewart replied, his expression grave. "Briony's back, but she's still upset. She's obviously going out of her way to avoid me."

Cedric, finally composed, studied Stewart for a moment before sighing.

"Hold on—I'm not sure I get what you're saying," Cedric said, frowning. "Last time, you told me you didn't love Briony. If all you wanted was a respectable Mrs. Wentworth, why do you care if she avoids you? She's home, your kids have their mother, the family's picture-perfect. What more do you want?"

"I might not love her," Stewart admitted, pouring himself another drink, "but I'm determined to be a good husband. Those five years we kept our marriage under wraps, things were harmonious for the three of us. Now with little Nina here, divorce feels even less like an option."

He took a long swig, nearly emptying his glass, then went on, "But I can tell she doesn't want to go back to how things were."

back?" Cedric shot him a sharp look. "You mean, she spends her days

all you think marriage is,

grip tightened around his glass. "Isn't that how most marriages

not! That's a terrible way to

gaze darkened. "That's how my parents'

him, face suddenly serious. "You can't use your parents'

pressed his lips

said, "I get it. You're still caught up in the shadow

searching his friend's face. "What are you trying to

real marriage is built on mutual

we started out with a

at it that way. But by that logic,

it over. "If there were no kids involved, I'd have no reason not to

gaped at him. "Stewart,

confused by