Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

If it was about the children, Briony needed to know the details. "What is it?"

"Xenia Cooper has an eight-year-old son."

Briony froze for a moment.

An eight-year-old son...

Her brows drew together. "So you're just stepping in as someone's ready-made stepfather?"

Stewart cleared his throat. "That's how it will look to outsiders."

Briony pressed her lips into a thin line.

Her mind went straight to Irwin Wentworth.

That boy had once been the fatal crack in her and Stewart's marriage.

Even though Irwin was eventually sent away, the arguments and misunderstandings he'd brought with him still lingered vividly in Briony's memory.

"Stewart, do what you like for appearances' sake, but when it comes to the children, I expect you not to disappoint them."

"Don't worry, I won't." Stewart's expression softened, as if he, too, recalled the turmoil Irwin had caused them, and he dared not conceal anything from her.

fiancé she loved deeply. Eight years ago, there was a

Briony's breath caught.

her late

didn't know

secret. She raised him overseas all these years and only recently brought him back, still keeping his

frowned. "So she wants to claim the boy

He stared at her with dark,

was

a bitter laugh. "Stewart, do you have any idea what

looked away, guilt shadowing his face. "Bryn, I'll explain everything to the

you and our children. If they don't mind, it's not my place to say

a deep breath, fixing Stewart with a cold, distant gaze. "From today onward, if we meet again, you'll be Mrs. Cooper's husband. I'll address you

Stewart was stunned.

him another glance. She turned away and walked into the house, not once looking

final. After this, Stewart wouldn't

His tall figure looked achingly lonely in the

...

returned to her bedroom and shut the

the wood, she slid slowly to

her face with her hands, tears soaking