Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"That twisted?" Cedric Clarke whistled, shaking his head. "Isn't that just your clone?"

Stewart shot him a withering look, brow furrowing.

He instinctively glanced at Briony.

Briony's expression was calm and composed. "Since the kid's alright, I'll be heading out."

Stewart jumped in, "Let me drive you."

"No need. Stay here and look after the child." Briony turned to Cedric Clarke. "Dr. Clarke, if you're free, could we have a word?"

Cedric Clarke scratched the bridge of his nose, already knowing what she wanted to discuss-Stella.noveldrama

"Sure," he replied.

Outside the hospital, in a small park, Briony and Cedric Clarke sat together in a gazebo.

Cedric handed her a bottle of water.

She took it with a polite "Thanks."

He twisted open his own bottle, took a long swig, and let out a heavy sigh.

Briony studied him in the clear sunlight, noticing for the first time how much weight he'd lost and the dark circles under his eyes.

"Still no contact with Star?"

Cedric sighed. "I'd love to reach out, but she's blocked my number. I tried calling from a different phone, but as soon as she heard my voice, she hung up."

Briony frowned. "Why's it so bad this time?"

"You're asking me?" Cedric gave a bitter laugh. "I wish I knew!"

"I'm planning to visit her next week."

Cedric looked surprised.

"She's told me more than once not to give you her address, but honestly, I don't think there's any deep-seated issue between you two-it's just a communication breakdown. So, I thought you should know."

He hesitated. "When are you going?"

"Wednesday."

Cedric frowned, silent for a moment.

Briony continued, "Think it over. If you decide to come with me, give me a call in advance. I'm flying private."

"Alright."

Briony stood. "I'll be off, then."

Cedric watched her for a moment, then suddenly stood too. "Briony."

She stopped and turned back.

"You and Maynard-have you really decided to be together?"

"Did Stewart put you up to this?"

"No." Cedric explained, "He hasn't mentioned it at all—I just saw the news online."

"I'm not with Maynard like that," Briony said.

Cedric looked relieved. "Good. I was worried you'd rush into something for the

kid's sake and end up marrying blindly."

Briony couldn't help but laugh. "Give me some credit."

The truth was encouraging Lori to accept Maynard as her father was mostly a cover-to hide the fact that Lori was Mary's daughter. After all, Ferdinand's body had never been found. You never know what might happen, and Briony wasn't about to take chances.

Down in the hospital's underground parking garage, Briony ran into Xenia Cooper.

They came face-to-face. Xenia's lips curled into a faint, chilly smile. “What a coincidence. Ms. Kensington, here for a follow-up?"

"Ms. Cooper, let's not pretend we're friends. Rather than wasting energy on me, maybe you should focus more on your son."

Xenia's face darkened.

"Did you know your son has severe claustrophobia?"

Xenia froze.

That told Briony everything she needed to know-Xenia hadn't known.

"The elevator malfunctioned today. He panicked so badly, he went into shock. The doctors said it was psychological, and if he hadn't gotten medical attention in time, he might not have made it."

Xenia's eyes went wide with shock.

Briony felt she'd said enough. Any more would just be meddling.

She walked past Xenia, heading straight for her car.

Behind her, Xenia broke into a run toward the elevator-a mother's desperate, anxious silhouette.

Perhaps deep down, Xenia did love

Vernon. But her heart had been

buried

dunder so much resentment

for so long, she'd forgotten how to show it.