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.

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

harshest clause? For the duration of their decade-long marriage, Stewart had to remain completely faithful.

forbidden from requesting a

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

on all sides. The restrictions were suffocating,

breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within

know you're here talking

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

me, then?"

a short, derisive 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

pressed her lips together,

you live too comfortably. Remember: for these ten years, Stewart.is my lawful husband. Please keep your

contract aside and looked Xenia squarely in

Cooper. I have no interest in another woman's husband Stewart

Xenia sneered. "But now that you know Stewart sold himself

replied, her eyes cold. "Don't you think I'm

paused, caught off

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

calm. "He can answer for his own actions. You came here today hoping to see me squirm with guilt, and I do feel it, but what difference

her nails impatiently on

got what you wanted,"