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. If he wants to make

her

conspiratorially. "Or... are

him again. It's just... we're not married anymore.

single. A little contact doesn't mean anything. Honestly,

lifted her eyes. "That's not what you said last time. Last time you warned me that if we kept this up, I'd end up right back with

shut her eyes dramatically as if to erase her own

forehead. "You talk more nonsense

good. You're like friends, maybe even family. With the

over each other every

is at the age where he's thinking about getting married, and you're not interested in him, so you can't keep relying on him. My husband-well, I'm more than happy for you to lean on him, but I know you'd feel awkward. Who else is there? Oh, me! I can help, but only if my son ever finishes weaning... and who else? Oh, there's Mr. Maynard, who's been dropping by a lot lately. He's charming, but would you really want to trouble

Stella's tangled logic. "We've barely known each

Maynard heard you

a look, unwilling to argue

off,

...

enormous-over two acres of manicured lawns

was hosting a housewarming