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 to

as he thought Stewart was a jerk, he had

had visited her when she was discharged from the

calm, as if yesterday's emotional collapse had never

was stunned. He didn't know whether to credit Stewart for knowing Briony so well, or Briony herself, for her resilience. In just twenty-four hours,

was for the best. Briony had weathered this

longer around, Briony would be able to raise her

shook his head, grabbed his suitcase, and headed

Briony and Stella sat together on the living room

lap and tapped his tiny nose. "Look at

"Anytime it's something good,

stubborn, suddenly he take

after

me."

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

"It's my mom and my

an eyebrow. "Your own mom and

sighed. "Sometimes I just don't get it. Ever

mom's need to

and waved a hand. "Hey, she's your mom, I'm not touching