Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony met his gaze, her lips pale but curling into a faint smile. "At this point, playing what-if only brings more trouble," she said softly.

She rose to her feet and looked away, her voice as gentle as a midnight breeze drifting into the man's chest. "I've let it go. You should, too."

Upstairs, in the guest bedroom.

Cedric Clarke eased open the door. The small nightlight glowed softly in one corner.

On the big bed, Aster was sprawled out, fast asleep.

Cedric stepped inside, eyes sweeping the room.

No sign of Stella.

He paused, assuming she wasn't there—until he heard something from the bathroom. A muffled sound: a woman trying to stifle her sobs.

Cedric's heart seized, as if caught in a vise.

He rushed to the bathroom, grabbing the handle, but the door wouldn't budge. It was locked from the inside.

Leaning his forehead against the door, he lowered his voice. "Star, can you open the door?"

The crying stopped for a moment, but Stella gave no reply.

He tried to coax her, voice hoarse. "It's my fault. I was an ass. Just open up, okay? I'll get down on my knees and beg-whatever you want."

Still nothing.

Cedric grew frantic. Stella had lost her temper before, but she'd never shut herself away like this, crying alone.

words tonight

if you

Still no answer.

of options, Cedric turned and

about to head to the backyard when they saw Cedric

"What's wrong?" Briony asked.

locked herself

Briony fell silent.

washboard?" Cedric

pointed toward the laundry room. "You

"Thanks."

the old washboard and then got the bathroom key from Briony. Without another word,

nose, half-amused. "Didn't

Briony glanced at him.

looked back at

met, the air suddenly

was the first to look away, turning to

silhouette, letting

...

backyard was alive

and a few others

attention bright-eyed, clever, and irresistibly cute. Nina, especially, with her sweet baby voice

Carey had their phones out, snapping away-kneeling, crouching, sideways, vertical,

chase after the kids but happily interacting from her

twins were impossible

his phone back into his

walked over. "Kids

them up to bed," Briony answered, her