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.

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.

her gaze,

"Or... are

not worried about falling for him again. It's just... we're not married anymore. It feels like we should keep a little

And you're both single. A little contact

you warned me that if we kept this

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

talk more nonsense

"I just think what you two have now is good. You're like friends, maybe even family. With the kids, you'll never be totally out of each other's lives, so why

don't usually hover over each other

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

from Stella's tangled logic.

Maynard heard you say that, he'd probably be

her a look,

conversation drifted off, unresolved

...

Mansion's back garden was enormous-over two acres

hosting a housewarming dinner