Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony closed her book, her voice soft and gentle. "Maybe I slept too much during the day. I just can't seem to fall asleep now."

Stewart stepped inside, quietly shutting the bedroom door behind him.

"Do you want some water?"

"No, thank you."

He paused, then asked, "Are you hungry?"

Briony met his gaze. "I'm not."

Stewart pressed his lips together, standing at the edge of the bed.

For a few moments, they simply looked at each other, silence settling between them-a quiet, delicate tension in the air.

Briony smiled, just a little. "Stewart, if you're not tired, why don't you sit and talk with me for a while?"

Stewart looked slightly surprised.

Briony was never one to start a conversation with him without a reason.

He pulled a chair over and sat by the bed.

"Have you started another business lately?"

Stewart hesitated before responding. "How did you know?"

"I overheard you on the phone a few days ago. You mentioned something about a bid."

He saw no point in hiding it from her. She'd find out soon enough anyway.

"I've found a business partner. The company won't officially launch until the new year."

Briony considered this for a moment, then said, "Stewart, I know you're capable, but starting a business is always tough at first. Money's always tight. Those assets you transferred to the kids before-"

"Bryn," Stewart interrupted, his face serious. “That's for you and the kids. Keep it safe. You don't need to worry about me."

"I'm just holding it temporarily," Briony insisted. "Technically, you're still here. Those assets should be yours until the kids come of age. Then you can decide how to divide them."

He looked at her, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Are you trying to give the assets back because you want to cut all ties with me?"

That caught Briony off guard.

Stewart's eyes were tinged with sadness. "You're still afraid I'll make things messy for you, aren't you?"

She held his gaze, lips pressed together.

The truth was, she wasn't worried about that anymore.

"Stewart, I've seen the effort you've put in these past weeks. After everything I've been through, I see things differently now. You've taken care of me-gone above and beyond. If I still called that meddling, I'd be unfair. Besides, we already agreed-for the kids' sake, we'd stay friends, maybe even something like family. Isn't that right?"

"Something like family..." Stewart swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "So, I can still keep in touch with you, right?"

"Of course." Briony let out a soft sigh. "Stewart, we've both had it rough. Setting feelings aside, we're not all that different. We've been through the worst together. There's no need to act like strangers or force the kids to choose sides. If we can respect each other, wish each other well, isn't that the best outcome?"

Stewart felt his chest tighten.

The relief in Briony's eyes was something he'd never dared hope for.

She'd truly let go of the old grudges and pain.noveldrama

She was welcoming him back-maybe not as before, but as a friend, as part of the family.

Stewart wanted to hold her. He wanted that more than anything.

"Bryn, can I... can I hug you?" His voice was thick with emotion. "As a friend. As family. Would that be alright?"

Briony stared at him. After a moment, she slowly opened her arms.

Stewart's eyes trembled.

Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

Briony sat quietly, letting him hold her.

His arms shook as if he was barely holding himself together, terrified he might hurt her.

Warm tears landed on her neck.

He tried so hard not to make a sound.

Briony sighed softly, closed her eyes, and gently patted his shoulder, comforting him.

On the twenty-eighth of December, Briony was discharged from the hospital.

Marlene and Gina had gotten the fireplace going, filling the house with a gentle warmth.

Briony stepped over the threshold, finally coming back to the place that truly felt like home.

Pearbrook Mansion was alive with celebration that day. Out in the yard, the sound of fireworks and laughter filled the air.

James led a group of young, unmarried relatives and the two little ones as they lit sparklers in the garden.

Aster, who'd just celebrated her first

birthday, was perched in James's

arms, watching her brother and sister wave their sparklers, terwa

squealing and kicking her tiny feet with delight.

She giggled, showing off a few new baby teeth and drooling happily down her chin.

Inside, Gwendolyn White, Carney Winslow, Kendal, and the others were gathered in the living room.

The scent of fresh tea drifted through the house as lively conversation and laughter bubbled up now and then.

Surrounded by friends and family,

Briony's once-pale face had regained its color. Her eyes sparkled with the energy she thought she'd lost.

She was getting better with each passing day-the numbers on the scale slowly

climbing back toward healthy.

It was a time of comfort and healing,

and Gwendolyn White insisted omeg

throwing a party to celebrate her goddaughter's new beginning.

Taking Carney by the arm, she headed out to the nearby supermarket to pick up

groceries for the feast.