Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony had no choice but to accept it.

Stewart stood nearby, watching the two of them. There was a shadow of loneliness in his deep-set eyes.

Maynard had been visiting often these days. Even though he knew Briony was unwell, he never made a big show of concern. He had a knack for reading the room, always knowing when to step forward and when to hold back. Whenever Briony was with him, she smiled a little more easily.

Stewart couldn't help but feel defeated. He didn't have Maynard's social grace, never knew the right thing to say, and when he was alone with Briony, silence usually filled the space between them.

Briony invited Maynard to take a seat.

Maynard settled in comfortably beside her.

Briony looked over at Cedric Clarke. "Star had a bit to drink. He fell asleep on the couch in the den."

Cedric Clarke frowned slightly and stood up at once. "I'll go check on him."

No sooner had Cedric Clarke left than Aster suddenly burst into tears.

Little Nina called out in a panic, "Oh no, the baby's crying! Mr. Clarke, your son is crying!"

But Cedric was nowhere to be found.

So Stewart had to step in and try to soothe Aster.

Aster hadn't been weaned yet, and fussed whenever he got sleepy.

Stewart had never dealt with such a tiny, squirmy baby before. The chubby little bundle felt heavy and awkward in his arms, and he had no idea how to calm him down. It was giving him a headache.

Briony caught sight of Stewart's helpless struggle with Aster and couldn't help but sigh.

"Mr. Maynard, I'm sorry, will you excuse me? I need to check on the baby."

Cedric and Stella were both gone, and James and Lorna had disappeared as well. At this point, Briony was the only one left who stood a chance at calming Aster down.

She got up and walked over to Stewart. "Let me do it."

Stewart looked at her, concerned. "Are you sure? He's pretty heavy."

Aster was indeed a plump, well-fed little boy, and holding him for long could get tiring.

Briony couldn't help but laugh. "He's just a baby. I think I can manage."

Hearing this, Stewart handed Aster over.

Briony cradled the baby, gently bouncing him and speaking to him in a soft, soothing voice.

But Aster only wanted his mother. Even Briony's efforts did nothing to calm him. Now that he was a year old, he knew exactly how to make his wishes known. "Mama..." Aster wailed, his voice shrill and desperate.

He cried so hard that Maynard eventually joined the effort to comfort him.

Still, Aster wanted no one but his mom.

There was nothing for it-Briony had to take Aster and find Stella.

Stewart, still uneasy, followed after her.

Before they stepped out, Stewart turned to Carey. "Stay here and keep Mr. Maynard company. Don't neglect our guest."

Carey nodded. "Of course, Mr. Wentworth. I'll make sure Mr. Maynard is well looked after."

...

Briony carried the still-sobbing Aster toward the den.

The door was ajar, and from inside came the sounds of a heated argument—

“Cedric Clarke, are you out of your mind? Why did you have to tell my mother I'd been drinking?"

"You were drinking. Am I not allowed to tell the truth?"

"You know she doesn't want me to wean the baby, and you went and tattled anyway! Don't think I don't see right through you, Cedric. You just want to keep me tied down.

Well, I'm telling you now-one.

Tomorrow I'm getting a job. No more housewife, no more human milk machine. If you and my mom try to stop me again, I'm divorcing you!"

Cedric's voice rose, sharp with frustration. “Stella, that's enough! You're drunk and running your mouth."

"I am not drunk. I'm perfectly

clear-headed've had it, Cedric. You

and my mother are just alike, always thinking you know what's best

Joe Jon

me. I'm thirty years old, and you both act like I can't make a single decision for myself. Well, I'm not just a daughter, not just a wife or a mother-I am my own person!"

"Stella, all this talk is just because you don't want to be here. You don't love me. Ever since you got your memory back, you've been half-hearted about

vel

think

everything-about this family, about us. You don't love me, so you

Aster is holding you back, you think your mother is controlling you..."

"That's right! I don't love you! I regretted it the moment I remembered everything. Cedric Clarke, I don't love you, I don't love you at all. Are you happy now? Go ahead and divorce me. Set me free-"

Crash!noveldrama

The sound of a bottle shattering echoed from the den.

Briony's breath caught. Instinctively, she moved to rush in with Aster in her arms.

Stewart grabbed her arm just in time. "Don't go in there with the baby. Let me check first."