Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

A sleek black Bentley cruised down the city boulevard.

Inside, James sat in the passenger seat, wrestling with himself before finally blurting out, "What's really going on between you and Xenia Cooper? Did you two actually get married?"

Stewart kept his eyes on the road. "The marriage announcement's already public. Whether we signed the papers or not, what difference does it make to you all?"

James rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Fair point. Right now, everyone in Northborough—no, the whole country-knows you, Stewart, have become the Cooper family's son-in-law."

Stewart said nothing.

Seeing Stewart had no intention of elaborating, James gave a short, exasperated laugh. "Look, I get that things between you and Xenia are just business, but ten years? How many decades does a person get? Are you just that confident in yourself, or are you betting everything on Bryn?"

"I didn't think that far ahead. All I wanted was to get the bone marrow-save her life."

James shook his head. "You know what you'll get for this? Bryn's guilt. But what good is that? Bryn can't wait ten years for you. Besides, Maynard's been relentless in pursuing her lately. Bryn may be slow to warm up, but ten years? That's more than enough time for Maynard to win her over."

Stewart's jaw tightened, his hands clenching the steering wheel.

"If Maynard can make her happy, then I'll wish them well," he said quietly.

James rolled his eyes. "We're both men—we know love always comes with a bit of possessiveness. As long as you still love Bryn, you'll never let go of that sliver of hope. Stewart, you're really something. If you truly wanted to let Bryn go, you should've kept the whole arrangement a secret. She's too softhearted. Now that she knows, even if she acts cold and decisive, deep down she'll always feel she

sigh. "What a mess. Two people trapped by a piece of

wasn't a second donor, and time was running out. As for the contract, I meant to keep it from her, but I didn't expect Xenia

sounded thoroughly put out. "Why do you always attract

Stewart frowned.

still ruled by

all about the deal. We're not even

James raised an eyebrow. "So the marriage certificate they released

Stewart stayed silent.

me. I swear I won't breathe a

sidelong glance. "That's between me and Xenia.

let out a snort of laughter. "Fine, keep pretending you're made

tried to provoke him

at the hospital, Stewart

James stayed by Briony's side, helping her arrange

managed

weary. She y of Sydney and woweene said she'd