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.

business acumen was on

had to remain completely faithful. No betrayals, no infidelities, and

was forbidden from requesting a

She'd sensed he was hiding

Stewart in on all sides. The restrictions were suffocating, the risks

a steadying breath, trying to calm the storm

you're

found out," Xenia replied, looking at Briony with open disdain. "He worries you'd feel guilty, wants to play the selfless

me, then?"

divorced, sure, and you gave him two kids-but Stewart bending over backwards for an ex-wife? It

lips together, meeting

see you live too comfortably. Remember: for these ten years, Stewart.is my lawful husband. Please keep your distance, and don't try to maintain any emotional ties-otherwise, I won't hesitate to treat you

and looked Xenia squarely in the

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

himself to save you, you don't feel grateful? Not even a

me a choice," Briony replied, her eyes cold. "Don't you think I'm the passive one in all of this, Ms.

off guard by

saying, Ms. Kensington, is

replied evenly, voice calm. "He can answer for his own actions. You came here today hoping to see me

Xenia said with a cold smile, tapping her nails impatiently on the table.

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