Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony understood what he was getting at. "Ms. Riley spoke to me today."

Carl hesitated, then asked, "So... you already know?"

She nodded. "Yes, I'm aware of everything about Stewart's condition."

Hope flickered in Carl's eyes. "Then... would you be willing to talk to Mr. Wentworth? Maybe persuade him?"

Briony's expression remained calm. "I'm sorry."

The expectation drained from Carl's face in an instant.

But he knew—Briony had no obligation to intervene with Stewart again. And Stewart himself certainly wouldn't want her to know, much less for them to secretly come begging her for help. If Stewart ever found out, he'd probably be furious.

Suppressing his emotions, Carl gave Briony a polite nod. "Ms. Kensington, I'll be heading back then."

Briony stopped him. "Wait a moment-let me get something for you."

Carl paused, a faint glimmer of hope returning. "Of course. I'll wait."noveldrama

Briony turned and walked back inside. She went to her room, retrieved a thick photo album, and handed it to Carl.

He took the album, heavy in his hands.

"This is every photo of Little Nina from birth to her first birthday," Briony explained. “There's also a flash drive inside. It has videos I recorded of her up to age three. Give them to Stewart."

Carl's eyes grew red-rimmed as he clutched the album.

"I know there's no need to tell him about his illness," Briony continued quietly. "Just tell him this is a farewell gift from Little Nina. If he truly loves his child, maybe just maybe he'll find the strength to try again for her sake."

Carl understood exactly what Briony was doing, and he felt deeply moved on Stewart's behalf. "Thank you, Ms. Kensington. Truly."

"I just don't want her to grow up with regrets," Briony replied softly.

Carl nodded, wiping at his eyes, and headed out to his car.

...

When Briony returned to the living room, the two little ones were playing quietly in the kids' corner.

James had just finished making tea and was waiting for her.

Briony sat down in the armchair nearby.

James used a pair of tongs to hand her a steaming cup. "Do you think giving him Little Nina's album will make a difference?"

Briony had already explained the situation to James on the drive back. Of course, she'd left out Lorna's explanations about Stewart and Rosita she truly didn't care anymore, and there was no point dredging all that up.

"I'm doing all I can," she said, lifting her cup for a sip.

James glanced over at Little Mario, who was playing with Nina. He hesitated, then said in a low voice, "Little Mario's started warming up to me all of a sudden."

Briony smiled. "He's a lot braver than when we first met him.”

"Yeah. He really is a different kid now."

James paused, then added, "Oh-by the way, the Wentworth Group filed for bankruptcy."

Briony's hand stilled, teacup halfway to her lips. "When did that happen?"

"The news broke this morning."

James pulled out his phone and opened a news app. "Look at this-while we've been away this week, Northborough's been buzzing with headlines."

Briony scrolled through the stories, taking a few minutes to catch up.

"With the Wentworth Group gone, the Wentworth family is finished," James said; shaking his head. "Fred really is the black sheep of the family Give a greedy fool like him a fortune, and he'll burn through it faster than anyone could imagine."

She handed the phone back, staying silent. But deep down, she

knew-the chaos that had overtaken the

both the Wentworth Group and

Lockwood Group this past week was all tied to Stewart.

Which meant, whatever Stewart had set out to do, he'd accomplished it.

James studied her face, and though she said nothing, he seemed to understand. "Stewart left everything to you and the kids, moved Little Mario's paperwork over to you... Bryn, he's left himself with nothing. No way back."

Briony's lashes trembled. "If he's really going to give up on himself like that, then he never deserved the trust and love of his children."

James was caught off guard, frowning as he looked at her. "If he wanted to see you one last time before he died... would you go?"

She shook her head, her tone unwavering. "There's no need."

James gazed at her for a long moment, then let out a helpless sigh.

His Bryn had changed-and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

...

Southcreek Manor.

Master bedroom, second floor.

Stewart was half-reclined on the bed, his once-handsome face as pale as paper.

His eyes, once so sharp, now drooped closed, drained of all vitality.