Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Stella snapped, "Cedric Clarke, stop making decisions for me! I never agreed to this!"

The little bundle in her arms, Aster, flinched at her raised voice. His lips began to quiver, on the verge of tears.

Briony quickly reached over and gently patted Aster's chest, soothing him. "You really need to rein in that temper of yours, Stella. Look, you nearly scared Aster to death."

Stella gave her son a gentle pat on the bottom and murmured a few soft, comforting words.

Only then did the furrow in Aster's tiny brow begin to ease.

Stella gazed down at her son and let out a sigh. "Bryn, I just don't think I'm cut out to be a mom."

Briony patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't say that. Aster's healthy and adorable—that's all thanks to you. Give yourself time. Every new mom has to go through an adjustment period. Besides, Dr. Clarke is a good husband and a devoted father. Don't get stuck in your own head."

Stella looked up at Briony, her eyes searching. "Bryn, I just find it so hard. How did you manage to get through everything you did?"

"Silly girl." Briony gave her a mock glare. "Everyone's story is different, every choice is different. You and Dr. Clarke are happily married. Your baby just adds to the joy you already have. For me, Little Nina was my salvation, my reason to keep going. There's no comparison."

"And now?" Stella pressed, holding her gaze. "Last night I grilled Cedric about everything that's happened these past years. He told me you're planning to fight Stewart for Mario's custody."

Briony's lips curled in a faint smile. "As a mother, I can't agree with Stewart's way of raising him. So yes, I'm planning to seek custody. But right now, Mario actually wants to stay with his dad."

Stella sighed, resigned. "I guess boys always tend to side with their fathers."

"I know," Briony said softly. "So I'm not going to force it. I've made up my mind- I'm going to work hard, make a living, and build myself up. That way, if Mario ever needs me, I'll have the strength to help him. I want to be someone who can stand toe-to-toe with Stewart, not just for Mario, but for myself."

around the landing, Cedric Clarke paused, listening to Briony's words. He pressed his lips together, sighing quietly

was a jerk, he

for just one day. Cedric had visited her when she was discharged from the hospital, expecting to offer comfort, but to his surprise, she was already a

yesterday's

credit Stewart for knowing Briony so well, or Briony herself, for her resilience. In just twenty-four hours, she'd come to terms

best. Briony had weathered this storm and found new

Briony would be able to raise her two kids and carve

his head, grabbed his suitcase, and headed for the guest

and Stella sat together on the living

his tiny nose. "Look at him frowning- he's

"Anytime it's something good,

stubborn, suddenly he take

after

me."

says that?" James chimed in. "Don't tell me

my in-laws are actually fine," Stella shrugged. "It's my mom and my aunt- they say it every time they

eyebrow. "Your own mom and

I just don't get it. Ever

mom's need to control

hand. "Hey, she's