Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 65

Briony still chose to go through with the procedure.

Stella, sensing that her friend wasn’t exactly in a calm state of mind, suggested she go home, take a hot shower, get some sleep, and wait until morning to make a final decision. “There’s no rush,” she said gently.

But Briony was resolute.

Seeing her determination, Stella didn’t try to talk her out of it any further.

It wasn’t that Stella necessarily thought keeping Stewart’s child was the better option. She just worried that Briony was acting out of pure emotion, and she didn’t want her friend to make a decision she’d regret when the storm had passed. So she’d pressed a little harder, just in case.

But now, with Briony’s mind made up, Stella switched to unwavering support—just as any best friend would.

That night, Stella accompanied Briony back to her place at Dolphin Cove.

Once home, she all but pushed Briony toward the bathroom. “Go take a hot shower,” she said. “I’ll make us some pasta. By the time you’re out, dinner will be ready.”

Briony nodded quietly.

Stella wagged her finger at her. “Don’t stay in too long, okay? You’re pregnant, and long hot showers can make you dizzy!”

“Alright, I know,” Briony replied.

As the bathroom door closed, she walked over to the mirror.

The woman staring back at her looked pale, with eyes red and swollen from crying.

She was a mess.

Briony turned on the faucet and splashed icy water onto her face. The cold washed away some of the fog in her mind.

After a moment, she looked up again, meeting her own gaze in the mirror. Slowly, the sorrow in her eyes began to fade.

After tonight, those five years of misguided devotion—no matter how pitiful or ridiculous—would be behind her.

[Briony, move forward. Don’t look back.]

—

A vicious snowstorm had raged through the night, but by morning, sunlight sparkled across the city, blanketing everything in a dazzling layer of white. It looked as if the world had been draped in a veil studded with diamonds.

Briony woke early. She made some nourishing soup and steamed a few fresh rolls for breakfast.

When everything was ready, she went to rouse Stella, who was still snug under the covers.

Stella had work that morning, so after breakfast, the two left together.

Briony needed to stop by her studio, so Stella dropped her off on the way.

Before Briony got out of the car, Stella checked one more time. “Are you sure about this?”

Briony met her eyes, calm and steady. “Director Grant said they can’t schedule the procedure for at least another week, right? That’s perfect—I have an artifact restoration to finish in the next few days. The timing works out.”

“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control.” Stella thumped her chest in mock relief. “Alright, I’ll support whatever you decide.”

Briony smiled faintly. “Thanks.”

…

Once she was at the studio, Briony called James.

He arrived about ten minutes later.

She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs.

Once in the car, she buckled her seatbelt and said, “Let’s go. I checked—there’s an antiques market over in Ashbourne Valley, about thirty miles away. If we head out now and don’t waste time, we should be able to get back today.”

James rested one hand on the wheel, idly fiddling with a wooden bead bracelet in the other.