Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony needed to break free from Stewart, but if the price of freedom was becoming a murderer, that was simply too high a cost.

That's why James silently hoped Stewart would come out of this unscathed.

Briony deserved a life untainted by Stewart's shadow.

Two people who were never meant to stay together-after the divorce, they could each go their separate ways, find their own peace.

That was the best ending anyone could hope for.

...

Stewart sat beside Briony, watching her, but she never looked up, her attention fixed on her phone.

Nearby, a young couple had just received their marriage certificate. The woman, beaming, linked arms with her new husband, chattering about where they should go for dinner that night.

The man smiled and told her he'd already booked a hotel-two days and one night of a romantic getaway, just for the two of them.

Hearing this, the woman's face lit up with delight. She held his arm tighter, her laughter ringing with pure, sweet happiness.

Stewart couldn't help but be pulled back to nine years ago, to the day he and Briony registered their marriage.

That day, after they signed the papers, he had to rush to court, so he gave her the code to his house, told her to move into Southcreek Manor on her own.

By the time he finished work and came home, it was already past midnight.

He hadn't expected to find Briony asleep on the sofa, a modest dinner-four dishes and a soup-laid out on the table.

When Briony woke and saw him, the first thing she asked was, "Have you eaten?"

She was only twenty-one then, her face still soft with youth, her wide eyes searching his face with a hint of nervousness.

sincere. Even though he'd already eaten, he lied and

he hadn't eaten yet, she

good; there was even a bit of eggshell in the scrambled

too late, that when he married Briony, she was still

the awkward meal, he

a little then, but the feeling was quickly shattered

the call, Briony had already gone upstairs to

turned their

never noticed the effort behind it

for granted was something Briony had built with five years of her youth-day by day, bit by bit-pouring everything she had into their

he was the one who lost

apple bobbing as

his chest spread, sharp and unrelenting, creasing his brow with

the first time, he truly understood-he was the one who'd failed

Stewart knew: their

automated voice called

It was their turn.

and walked toward the

a slow, steady breath, and stood. His tall frame wavered for a moment, but he caught himself on the back

nearly

join Briony at

and

certificates,

set. One

took her certificate, staring at the words "Divorce Certificate." At last, she felt the

stood and walked straight

Stewart rose as well.

Briony didn't look back.

couldn't catch up to her now. Struggling to