Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"Bryn, please—don't cry, I..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Briony looked at him, her voice trembling. "Stewart, this is my life. I don't need you to save me like this."

A sharp pain twisted in Stewart's chest.

"Bryn, the only thing that matters is that you're alive."

He reached out, wanting to wipe away her tears, but Briony stepped back and stood up, just out of reach.

She brushed the tears from her face, her voice icy. "You traded ten years of marriage to save my life, Stewart. Do you really think that makes you some kind of hero?"

Stewart's breath caught. "I didn't think about any of that. In that moment, all I wanted was for you to survive. Bryn, everything else pales in comparison to you being alive..."

Briony stared at him, eyes shining with tears.

a brittle laugh and nodded. "You're right. Compared to being

overthink this. You have to live. Our kids

and her—it has nothing to do with you. I didn't tell you beforehand, because this was my choice. Even now, if Xenia Cooper is coming after you, it's because of me. If you want to call me selfish, fine—maybe I am. I just couldn't stand the thought of our

trembled as she gazed at him, silent tears

children as an excuse, never once mentioning how he felt

everything they'd been through, if she still doubted Stewart's feelings for her,

the

had spiraled far beyond that... Love

if you say it,

the kids, then that's what I'll believe. If you say I don't owe you anything, then I'll accept that we're even. I can do it. I'm not as kind as you think, Stewart

to her, Stewart felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing

Cooper's husband. You and I are just the parents of our children. Now that you're remarried, we have to keep our distance. From now on, there won't be a room for you at Pearbrook Mansion. If you want to see the kids, let me know ahead of time and I'll arrange it—or you can send someone to pick

colder her words became, but her tears only fell

back any longer. He stepped forward

her face