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.

it, Stewart just wants 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 things right, let him. Just

her gaze,

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

about falling for him again. It's just... we're not

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

Last time you warned me that

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

talk more nonsense than a bad

her head. "I just think what you two have now is good. You're like friends, maybe even family. With the kids,

don't usually hover over

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

associate, Briony groaned, feeling dizzy from Stella's tangled logic. "We've barely known each other

Mr. Maynard heard you say that, he'd

gave her a look, unwilling to

off, unresolved as

...

was enormous-over two acres of manicured

hosting a