Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Engagement?

Briony lowered her gaze to the invitation being held out in front of her.

She didn't reach for it.

"Take it back, Lorna." Briony looked up, meeting Lorna's eyes. "Stewart and I aren't exactly on friendly terms after the divorce. If I accept this invitation, I'll be expected to send a gift-frankly, it's just a hassle."

"There's really no need for so much hostility, Ms. Kensington."

Lorna gave her a light, practiced smile. "I can't have children of my own. Stewart only has Mario, so the Wentworth family will depend on him one day. I hope Mario will care for me in my old age, so I'll treat him as if he were my own son. I truly want to get along with you, Ms. Kensington—for all our sakes."

Briony frowned.

She can't have children?

"Go on, take it. As Mario's new stepmother, I genuinely hope for your support as his mother."

With that, Lorna pressed the invitation into Briony's hand, took little Mario by the hand, and turned to get into the car.

Briony watched as the car pulled away.

James strolled over, took the invitation from her, and unfolded it with a skeptical look.

"Stewart is really something. He made you promise in the divorce papers not to remarry for three years, and now he's practically married again himself!"

The more James thought about it, the angrier he got. "Maybe I should send him a box of condolence cards as a wedding gift!"

actually comfortable around Ms. Riley," Briony

at her. "What do

If Ms. Riley weren't sincere

while Lorna can be strict, she's willing to spend real

quite get

party. Will you take a gift

frowned. "You're really going to send them a present? Who does that? Since when does an ex-wife send a gift when

with them

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ex-husband at all. Briony just wanted to make things easier

things parents do for their

Mario living in that house, all Briony could do

Lorna's engagement party was

though it was just an engagement, the event rivaled any wedding

invited every major business figure

week, the engagement was all

James went in her place and delivered a painting

famous

that Stewart received a Leilani painting as an engagement gift left

work was rare, and every piece was highly sought

had become something of an obsession among

set off on their honeymoon, planning to be away for