Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"The deeper Briony read, the tighter her brow furrowed.

Across the table, Xenia Cooper never took her eyes off Briony, studying every flicker of emotion, every subtle shift in her expression. She watched in silence for a full five minutes.

At last, Briony set the agreement down and lifted her gaze.

Their eyes met.

Xenia looked thoroughly satisfied with Briony's shock.

"Have you finished reading?" she asked, her tone edged with amusement.

Briony's voice was taut. "So-it was your bone marrow that saved my life."

Xenia arched an eyebrow. "That's right. Technically speaking, I'm your savior."

Briony's grip on the contract tightened.

"But Stewart repaid your debt for you, in his own way," Xenia taunted, a sly smile curling her lips. "Tell me, Briony are you moved?"

Briony couldn't answer. She could never have imagined that the second chance at life she'd been given had come at such a cost-a cost Stewart had paid in this way.

The contract spelled it out, in black and white-not just a ten-year marriage between Stewart and Xenia, but also an obligation: over three years, Stewart was to remove every person in the company who stood against Xenia. In return, Xenia would swallow up all the shares of Neonova Syndicate in those three years.

in the contract-her business acumen was on full display. It was

For the duration of their decade-long marriage, Stewart had to remain completely faithful. No betrayals, no infidelities,

forbidden from

remembered that day Stewart had fallen silent. She'd sensed he was hiding

in on all sides. The restrictions were suffocating, the

a steadying breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions

know you're here talking

you never found out," Xenia replied, looking at Briony with open disdain. "He worries you'd feel guilty, wants to play the selfless hero. So no, he doesn't know I'm meeting you today. But don't worry-I'll tell him all about it

then?" Briony asked

I can't stand it. You two are divorced, sure, and you gave him two kids-but Stewart bending over backwards for an ex-wife? It grates on me.

lips together,

see you live too comfortably. Remember: for these ten years, Stewart.is my lawful husband. Please keep your distance, and don't try to

the contract aside and looked Xenia squarely in the

woman's husband Stewart and have been divorced

know Stewart sold himself to save you, you don't

eyes cold. "Don't you think I'm the passive one

paused, caught off

Ms. Kensington,

You came here today hoping to see me

it doesn't change a thing," Xenia said with a cold smile, tapping her nails impatiently on the table. "But I have to admit, it's more

I suppose you got what you wanted," Briony shot back, her