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.

nodded. "You're right. Compared to being alive,

don't overthink this. You have to

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 kids growing

she gazed at him,

excuse, never

couldn't play dumb. After everything they'd been through, if she still doubted Stewart's feelings

couldn't bear the weight of

parted ways, or at least remained friends, but things had

you say it,

you anything, then I'll accept that we're even. I can do it. I'm not as kind as you think, Stewart I want to Jive. You're right nothing is more

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

today, you're Xenia 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

spoke, the colder her words became,

any longer. He stepped forward and pulled her into

face in his