Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Looking at Briony's calm expression, a chill crept up Lorna's spine.

"When did you find out?"noveldrama

"Little Nina mentioned he was sick a while back," Briony replied honestly. "And at the board meeting, Stewart got punched by Ferdinand and blood was pouring from his mouth. I'm no doctor, but the way he was bleeding was all wrong. I also noticed needle marks on the back of his hand. So after the meeting, I sat in my car and waited. Sure enough, I saw him throw up blood."

Lorna could only give her a thumbs up. "Not only are you observant, but you've got nerves of steel!"

"He's been hiding how seriously ill he is. Then, right in front of Barrie, he brought up Rosita again, and later he tried to humiliate me," Briony said, locking eyes with Lorna. "What exactly is going on between Barrie and Stewart?"

"All I'll say is—if Stewart's interested in a woman, Barrie suddenly is too."

Briony frowned. "What is wrong with him?"

"People who like messing around with troublemakers always have some twisted kink!" Lorna couldn't resist venting about Barrie. "Especially Barrie-he's the kind of sleazy, silver-tongued creep who only looks respectable on the outside. You have no idea how much I want to throw up every time I have to deal with him." Briony was silent.

"Our world is complicated," Lorna said, waving a hand with a wry smile after a brief pause. She looked at Briony, and for once, her usual bluntness faded into something almost wistful.

"The truth is, you and Stewart were never really part of the same world. Whatever happened during those years he spent overseas, it changed him for life. I'm sure he had his hopes and dreams, but reality is cruel."

Lorna, usually so straightforward, suddenly sounded a little melancholy. "You two have such different backgrounds and ways of seeing the world. Forced relationships never work out. Now that you're separated, and the kids are with you, maybe it's for the best. They'll be better off-safer, more stable."

Briony could sense the deeper meaning behind Lorna's words.

She knew nothing about that other world Lorna referred to, but it was clear Lorna

was hinting that Stewart was carrying other secret burdens.

She was just an ordinary woman, with two children to raise. Whatever world Stewart belonged to, it wasn't hers—and it shouldn't be.

"In that case, you shouldn't have come to see me today," Briony said quietly dooking at Lorna. "If he's decided to cut us out of his life for

good, you showing up here is going against his wishes, isn't it?"

"Because I can't just sit by and watch him die!" Lorna sighed. "He still has a chance, you know. There's hope he can be cured."

Briony was quiet for a moment, then spoke softly. "You shouldn't have come."

Lorna was briefly lost for words.

"You're trying to guilt-trip me."

Lorna raised her hands in protest. "Come on, it's not that serious! I just thought maybe, if you talked to him, he might reconsider."

Briony's face was unreadable.

"Honestly, I never expected the kids would become so attached to- Stewart. I thought if I just gave them enough love and attention, they'd be able to cope without their father."

"I'm an orphan," Lorna said with a shrug. "So I can't really comment on that. But will say this: Stewart might not be the best partner or the most reliable husband, but when it comes to being a father, he's been trying his hardest. He's really given it his all."

Briony pressed her lips together, silent.