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

moment she stepped out, little Aster spotted his mother and, for a second, his cries

didn't rush to scoop him

After a few seconds, when she

Stella reached for her son, pulling him into her

and whimpering, nuzzling into her

herself unravel. She closed her eyes, hurt and exhausted, but still forced herself to soothe him in a trembling whisper.

how could he

wanted, Aster

tears came faster,

she sobbed, clutching her child. "Why is

spiral like this. She hurried over, wrapping an arm around Stella's shoulders. "It's alright, love. He's just tired and fussy, that's all. He's

Briony, lips

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

asked Carol to make up

ready, Stella took it

bed, holding