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.

contract-her business acumen was on full display. It

their decade-long marriage, Stewart had to

Stewart was forbidden from

day Stewart had fallen silent. She'd sensed he was hiding something-now she understood just how different the truth was from

in on all sides. The restrictions were

trying to

you're here talking

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

me, then?"

laugh. "Because 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

pressed her lips together, meeting Xenia's stare without

these ten years, Stewart.is my lawful husband. Please keep your distance, and don't

the contract aside and looked Xenia squarely in the

have nothing to worry about, Ms. Cooper. I have no interest in another woman's husband Stewart and have been divorced for years.

now that you know Stewart sold himself to

never gave me a choice," Briony replied, her eyes cold. "Don't you think I'm the passive one in

caught off guard by Briony's

you're saying, Ms. Kensington, is that Stewart brought

came here today hoping to see me squirm with guilt, and I do feel it,

Xenia said with a cold smile, tapping her nails impatiently

you got what you wanted," Briony shot back,