Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"I just don't think he needs to be at the hospital all the time. We're divorced, after all-he's my ex-husband now. There's no reason for him to be hovering around like this."

"Oh, I get it!" Stella tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You're worried that with him taking care of you, you'll end up falling for him again—and then, before you know it, you two are back together?"

Briony rolled her eyes. "Maybe you should go back to grade school and brush up on your reading comprehension."

Stella burst out laughing. "Kidding! I know what you mean, don't worry."

Briony shot her a playful glare. "You're impossible."

"Bryn, he's the father of your child. Even if he's just looking after you as a friend, that's perfectly normal. Besides, he's got resources, and from what Cedric told me, Stewart's not exactly swamped these days. He's got time, and he wants to help out. Why not just let him?"

"It just makes me feel weird."

"Weird?" Stella arched an eyebrow. "What's so weird about it? It's not like you need him to hey! Ow! Did you just hit me?"

Briony glared at her. "You really can't keep that mouth of yours in check, can you?"

Stella rubbed her arm where she'd been smacked, then looked at Briony, falling quiet for a moment before sighing in defeat.

"Bryn, you really haven't noticed how much Stewart's changed?"

"I have."

really don't want to

staring up at the ceiling. "Why is everyone

a kid together!" Stella cut in, her tone matter-of-fact. "Look, I'm hardly Stewart's biggest fan, but as a woman—and a brand mom deal with all this postpartum craziness-I get it. You

her lips together, and despite herself, the memory

watched her closely, but

best friend, Stella couldn't tell

on bad terms and both moved on, sure, I'd say there's nothing left between

long as there's love, there's always hope. It's a slow burn, Bryn. Maybe you can turn him down for a year, or two, or even five- but if he never gives up, how long can you hold out? You might be able to say no now, but what about in ten years? When you're old and frail, and there's someone who knows you inside

turned to look

blue, dotted with

her voice soft. "Growing old...

year was

understood what weighed on her

illness had come on so suddenly, so violently, that Stellanet found herself wishing Briony would live a little

by your side, just let him. Who cares what he's thinking? The only thing that matters is that you get the care you need. And if you do end up back together, I'll support you no matter what. Honestly, you should

at her in

was only gone a couple of months. How did you

abou sighed. "I've been thinking about my life a lot

"Let me guess-'The Billionaire's Secret

her a