Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 168

After hanging up, Briony set her phone aside and went to take a shower.

About fifteen minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas. Her phone was buzzing on the bed.

It was James calling.

Briony answered, “Did you get it done?”

“Something’s wrong.”

James sounded serious on the other end. “I contacted several news outlets, even reached out to some PR accounts, but the moment they heard Stewart’s name, they all refused.”

Briony frowned. “Not even if we pay extra?”

“They didn’t even ask about the price. Stewart clearly got to them first.”

Briony had expected it wouldn’t be easy to leak anything online, but she hadn’t anticipated this level of resistance.

She’d assumed, at worst, it would play out like before—she’d expose Stewart, and he’d scramble to bury the trending news, erasing every trace.

She’d been counting on that brief window before he managed to cover it up.

But Stewart had already sealed off every avenue. He hadn’t left her a single chance.

“There’s something else,” James said. “There’s a story about Ms. Hudson making the rounds online.”

“What?” Briony’s heart skipped a beat, a wave of dread washing over her. “What story?”

“Some PR accounts are spreading the rumor that your mom killed your stepdad five years ago because she was having an affair.”

“That’s impossible!” Briony’s voice rose, panic edging her words. “My mom suffered years of abuse—she acted in self-defense, and it was an accident!”

“I know, Briony, calm down. I just think it’s odd. Ms. Hudson wasn’t a celebrity, and she’s been gone for years. Suddenly, this story pops up and starts trending—someone’s definitely trying to stir things up.”

Briony froze.

Could it have been Stewart?

She hung up on James and immediately dialed Stewart’s number.

It rang several times before he picked up.

“Stewart.” Briony didn’t wait for him to speak. Her tone was cold, accusing. “Is that story about my mother your doing?”

Stewart didn’t answer.

And almost instantly, James called again.

Briony stared at the screen, guilt twisting in her chest.

She didn’t pick up.

Letting the phone fall back onto the bed, she pressed her hands over her face.

This miserable marriage to Stewart had cost her the only family she had left, and dragged her friends into her mess.

For the first time, Briony realized just how much she’d lost.

Loving the wrong person could be the most devastating mistake of all.

If she could turn back time, she’d do anything to erase Stewart from her life.

…

Stewart listened to the dial tone on the other end, his eyes cold and distant.

After a long moment, he gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.