Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 38

Briony returned to her own hospital room first, changing out of the standard-issue gown and back into her own clothes. After collecting herself, she made her way to see Julia.

Outside Julia’s room, Gina was waiting. The moment she saw Briony, she hurried over, blocking her path.

“Ms. Kensington, please, don’t go in just yet.”

Briony frowned in confusion. “What’s happened?”

Gina glanced around, then pulled Briony aside, lowering her voice. “I’ll be honest with you—your mother’s awake, but she’s… well, she’s seen the news online. She thinks you broke up someone else’s relationship, and the shock is what caused her to faint.”

Briony froze.

News online?

She hesitated, her mind racing. Suddenly, the realization hit her. She spun around to look at Stella.

“Star, give me my phone.”

Stella, knowing there was no use hiding it anymore, handed the phone over.

Briony unlocked it and opened Facebook.

Her inbox was flooded with messages. Even under her attempted post clarifying the rumors, the comments were a barrage of vitriol:

“Homewrecker.”

“Manipulator.”

“Attention seeker.”

“Brought ruin to your own father.”

“Knew he was married and still got involved.”

“Daughter of a murderer—just die already!”

“Murderess deserves to rot!”

“Evil always gets what’s coming!”

The endless stream of ugly insults made Briony’s eyes sting with tears.

…

The hospital room door creaked open from the outside.

She clung to Julia’s hand, pleading, “Mom, please, believe me, okay?”

“I knew something was wrong with you that day at the hotel…” Julia’s disappointment was plain, her voice heavy. “Bryn, you love Stewart. I can see it in your eyes—you can’t fool me.”

Briony’s heart dropped.

Julia shook her head, tears and a bitter, broken smile on her lips. “You’ve made a terrible mistake, Bryn. I can’t forgive you. I don’t want to see you right now. Please, just go.”

“No, please…” Briony held tight to her mother’s hand. “Let me explain, Mom, just listen to me—”

“Go!” Julia wrenched her hand free, pushing Briony away.

Briony stumbled backward just as the door opened again.

Stewart entered, reaching out instinctively to steady her.

Briony caught herself, then, realizing who it was, jerked away. Her expression hardened.

Stewart merely raised a dark brow, his face as unreadable as ever.

Briony glared at him, her voice trembling with anger. “Stewart, what are you doing here?”