Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony drifted in and out of consciousness for a day and a night. When she finally

woke, her head throbbed and every muscle ached.

The room was dim, shadows pooled in the corners.

She tried to lift her hand, only to realize someone was holding it.

Startled, she turned her head.

The man beside her opened his eyes, dark and intent as they met hers.

"You're awake?"

Briony's breath caught. She tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't let go.

"Stewart, you—" Her voice broke off into a painful, scratchy cough.

Stewart was instantly on his feet, stepping away from the bed.

He poured a glass of warm water from a thermos and returned to her side.

"Here, drink some water. It'll help your throat."

He steadied the cup in one hand and gently helped her sit up with the other.

Briony's coughing fit left her cheeks flushed. She slapped the cup from his hand- water splashed everywhere, shards of glass scattered across the floor.

She shoved him away, bracing herself on the bed, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "I don't need your fake concern... cough..."

Stewart watched her, lips pressed into a tight, silent line. She looked so stubborn, so miserable.

he let out a heavy sigh and left

the

carrying a

you some tea. Drink

her raw throat. Bianca set the mug aside,

tell he truly cares. You were

frowned. "I slept

came-said your fever was from severe inflammation, but you've had an IV and your

silent,

been cut off from the outside

now. If they'd alerted the police,

hungry? Is there anything you'd like

but after a moment's thought said, "Some plain

"Of course."

threw off

her left ankle, but she gritted her teeth and took

glanced at the door, then

doorknob, the chain around

her jaw in

that moment, the

Briony stumbled back, startled.

shutting the door behind

a few paces

bandage covered Stewart's temple—a wound she'd inflicted with a lamp

that night flooding back-his force, her terror. Her

to her left foot, then lifted to her

voice. "Please, Stewart. I'm begging you. Just let

have to be