Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Downstairs, Briony and Cedric Clarke settled into their seats, each lost in their own thoughts.

James quietly prepared the tea, the gentle clinking of china filling the silence.

"We're all friends here, so I'll get straight to the point. You don't mind, Dr. Clarke?" Cedric managed a weary smile. "Honestly, I'm more anxious than anyone right now. I was hoping you both might have some advice for me."

Briony didn't hesitate. "Star seems to be struggling with a bit of postpartum depression."

Cedric's expression froze, as if the words had caught him off guard.

"Sure, memory loss and hormonal changes play a part," Briony continued, "but I think the way you both have been interacting with her might have something to do with it too."

Cedric was a doctor-he knew all too well that postpartum depression was a challenge many new mothers faced. But he'd never considered that Stella might be one of them. He'd done his research, after all. From the day she got pregnant to the moment she gave birth, he'd tried to do everything right, to be as prepared as any husband could be.

Now, though, he felt completely lost.

"Star never wanted to get married in the first place," Briony said gently, "let alone have a child. Dr. Clarke, right now, she feels trapped."

A pang of sadness crossed Cedric's face, and his voice wavered. "So, she's depressed because she thinks I—and the baby—have tied her down, is that it?"

Briony didn't deny it, though she worried the thought would only hit Cedric harder. She could see Stella cared for him, truly. But right now, Stella needed patience and understanding more than anything else.

"Dr. Clarke, I know it's not fair for Star to feel this way, but the truth is, she's just regained her memories. It's like the old Stella is wrestling with the new one. She needs time to process everything, and she needs to know she's not alone."

serious look. "This is going to be a rough stretch for you, I won't lie. But I hope you'll be patient with Star. She does care about you, I can see that. It's

nodded, letting out a heavy sigh. "Thank you for being honest with me. I'll try to talk things through

toward the stairs. "I'll go check on her

Briony nodded in encouragement.

gone upstairs, James leaned in, keeping his voice

will," Briony said, sounding

can you

mother's instinct to care about her child,

with herself, not

never take

Suth

him."

"I don't know. Not every mother is

and Lauren Lynn-those women treat

knitting in gentle reproach.

held his hands up. "All right, all right. Just making

he could say more, footsteps