Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

In the end, Briony put on the necklace.

With it around her neck, the bare feeling vanished, and her collarbones no longer seemed so stark and exposed.

Stella nudged her toward the mirror. "Well? Doesn't it look nice?"

Briony studied her reflection, fingers brushing the chain. She still looked uneasy. "I don't know... I'm not sure it's a good idea."

"Is it the style you don't like?"

Briony shot her a look.

Stella grinned mischievously. "Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing. I know what's really bothering you. You're worried Stewart will get the wrong idea. But trust me, he's got a pretty clear sense of where things stand these days. You don't have to worry about wearing his necklace making him think you want to get back together."

Briony regarded Stella, a headache coming on. "When did you become such an expert on Stewart?"

"It's not like that," Stella protested. "He came by the house a few days ago to see Cedric Clarke. I just happened to overhear them talking on the stairs."

She thought back for a moment. "Cedric asked him what his plans were now. Stewart said all he wanted was for you to get better, and once you did, he'd stop bothering you."

Briony pressed her lips together, thoughtful.

It was true-Stewart had told her the same thing that day.

to make amends. You went through a lot because of him, and even though you've both made peace and you're ready to move forward, he still feels guilty.

lowered her

voice conspiratorially. "Or... are you afraid you'll end

him again. It's just... we're

And you're both single. A little contact doesn't mean anything. Honestly, with the kids, you're practically family

said last time. Last time you warned me that if we kept this up, I'd end

shut her eyes dramatically as if to erase her own words. "That was then, this

Stella's forehead. "You talk more

like friends, maybe even family. With the kids, you'll never be totally out of each other's lives,

hover over each other

on him, but I know you'd feel awkward. Who else is there? Oh, me! I can help, but

from Stella's tangled logic. "We've barely known each other a month. I wouldn't even call

Mr. Maynard heard you say that, he'd probably

a look, unwilling

conversation drifted off, unresolved as

...

was enormous-over two acres of manicured lawns and winding

a housewarming