Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Stewart didn't deny it.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Bryn, I know this is my fault. Give me some time-let's talk, just the two of us."

Maynard's patience snapped. He stepped forward, blocking Briony from Stewart. "Stewart, are you seriously still using the kid to threaten her? Have you got no shame?"

Stewart let out a cold laugh. "I'm the one using the child to pressure her? Or do you maybe have your own agenda here?"

Maynard's eyes narrowed. He stood his ground, refusing to back down an inch.

The two men were about the same height and squared off, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

A couple of Maynard's relatives just stood there, staring in disbelief.

Finally, Damian stepped in to break the standoff.

"It seems we really didn't think this through," Damian said gently, turning to Briony. "Ms. Kensington, I apologize for how abrupt we've been. Your future should be decided by you and Maynard—it's not our place to interfere. Here's what we'll do: we'll leave the wedding gifts for now. If you and Maynard are truly meant for each other, then wonderful. If you're not ready to marry... consider them a token from our family to Lori."

He managed to defuse it gracefully, and Briony couldn't embarrass the elders further.

She nodded in agreement, then turned to Maynard. "You should take your family home."

Maynard looked frustrated, but for now, he had no choice but to comply-staying any longer would only put Briony in a worse spot.

Maynard and his four relatives left.

Now only Briony and Stewart remained in the garden.

They stood a few paces apart, facing each other in silence.

After half a minute, Briony finally spoke, her eyes cold. "Well? Are you satisfied now?"

A heaviness settled on Stewart's chest. "Bryn, you can't marry Maynard."

"That's enough, Stewart." Briony was clearly at the end of her rope. "When you married Xenia Cooper, did I try to stop you? Did I guilt-trip you with our kids?"

"I'm not trying to guilt you," Stewart said quietly, eyes lowered. "I just don't want you to make another sacrifice for the sake of the children."

"What I choose to do is none of your business." Briony's tone was icy. "We said last time we'd keep things civil and respectful. So why are you here now, stirring up trouble? Was threatening me about Lori's

parentage in front of Maynard's family your idea of decency? Your

idea of respect?"

Stewart's hand curled into a fist at his side.

"You just never change, do you?"

Disappointment crept into Briony's voice. “Stewart, I've tried so hard to patch things up between us. I've tried to understand all the

impossible choices you had tool net

make. But why do you keep doing

this? Why is it so hard for you to show me any real respect?"

With that, she turned and strode toward the house.

"Bryn-!"

Stewart hurried after her, grabbing her wrist.

"Let go of me!" Briony struggled to free herself, but Stewart wouldn't release her hand.

"Stewart, when will you stop?"

"Bryn, please, just let me explain!"

"Fine. I'm listening." Briony fixed him with a steely gaze, not a flicker of hope innoveldrama

her eyes.

Stewart looked pained. "If you and Maynard were truly in love, if you really wanted to marry him, I'd honestly wish you both happiness. But you're not. You're being bullied by public opinion, you're doing this for Lori. Bryn, you know exactly how Maynard feels about you? Are you really not suspicious-don't you think he might be orchestrating things behind the scenes? All those stories in the press-what if he's the one pulling the strings?"

Briony let out a bitter laugh. "And what if he is?"

Stewart stared at her, caught off-guard.

"So what if Maynard has his own motives?" Briony yanked her hand free, glaring

at him. "Stewart, at this point, who I marry and why I marry them has nothing to do with you."