Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony nodded. "Try to talk to Dr. Clarke, will you? Star's had a few drinks-she's not thinking straight. Don't take her words to heart."

"Alright." Stewart pushed open the door and stepped inside.

In the media room, the once-loving couple were now locked in a furious argument, faces flushed and voices raised.

Stella sat on the sofa, her face buried in her hands, sobbing. Cedric Clarke stood across from her, arms akimbo, his expression dark and stormy, chest heaving with anger.

There were no winners in this fight.

Once, they had loved each other fiercely. Now, only their cruelest words remained, cutting deeper than any blade.

Broken glass glinted on the floor, the sharp tang of spilled liquor hanging in the air. Through the open door, the heart-wrenching cries of a child echoed from outside. That sound pulled Stella and Cedric back from the edge, snapping the spell of their rage.

"Ms. Joyner's been drinking-her words don't count for much right now. Let it go," Stewart said quietly, stepping over to Cedric and giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Cedric wiped a hand over his face, as if trying to clear his head.

He was just as lost in his anger. He was the one who'd smashed the bottle. Now, regret gnawed at him.

Stella stood by the coffee table, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

Cedric looked at her, a heavy ache settling in his chest.

"Star, I-"

Stella only wiped her tears away, brushed past him, and headed straight for the

out, little Aster spotted his mother and,

didn't rush

stared at his mom. After a few seconds, when she didn't come to him, the wailing started again—louder, more desperate than

welled up once more as Stella reached for her son, pulling him

against her, hiccuping and whimpering, nuzzling into her

exhausted, but still forced herself to soothe him in a trembling whisper. "Aster, sweetheart, you're a big boy now. Let's

how could he possibly

wanted, Aster only

faster,

sobbed, clutching her child. "Why is everyone pushing

over, wrapping an arm around Stella's shoulders. "It's alright, love. He's just tired and fussy,

looked at Briony, lips pressed

her anger out on her son. She knew, too, that right now, there was no choice but to try to settle him. He was just

to make

took it and carried Aster

the foot of the bed, holding her son