Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 488

Briony bent down and zipped up the little yellow duck backpack. “From the kids’ perspective, of course I want them to have both their parents. If Stewart truly cherishes them, he’ll take care of himself.”

She looked up at James, her voice soft, her tone calm. “I’ve never thought I mattered much to Stewart. Maybe we shared five years as husband and wife, but it was never love. Stewart never loved me, and I’ll never love him again.”

James watched her, his hand tightening at his side.

He pressed his lips together, wrestling with himself.

He wanted to say, Bryn, you’re wrong. Stewart might love you more than you know. He’s probably still hopelessly in love with you.

But how could he say that? To confess the feelings of his rival in love? Even if James couldn’t fight and claw for her, he certainly couldn’t step aside and play matchmaker for Stewart.

So he let it go. If he could be her knight, standing quietly at her side for the rest of his life—even if only as family—that would be enough.

…

Briony and James came downstairs together.

“Is there enough room for the car seats?” Briony asked, glancing at Stewart.

“I installed an extra one before I came,” Stewart replied, meeting her eyes. “I’ll take good care of them. Both of them.”

It was a promise, spoken as a father to the mother of his children.

Briony simply nodded, then stepped over to say goodbye to the kids.

James loaded Little Nina’s suitcase into the trunk.

Briony watched as Stewart buckled both children into their car seats, making sure they were safely strapped in.

The kids waved goodbye from inside the car, their faces bright with innocent, delighted smiles.

Briony waved back, her heart caught in her throat.

Stewart opened the driver’s door, gave Briony one last look, his lips pressed tight. After a moment, he finally said, “We’re off.”

Briony didn’t look at him.

Stewart lowered his gaze, climbed into the car, and shut the door.

The car purred to life, turned around, and pulled away into the night.

Briony stood there, watching the taillights disappear into the darkness before she finally closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out in a heavy sigh.

James watched her, worry etched on his face. “Are you alright?”

Briony opened her eyes and shook her head gently. “I’ll have to get used to it.”

Just two days ago, she’d quietly made an appointment with a therapist.

…

Southcreek Manor.

Stewart carried a child in each arm as he stepped into the house.

Lorna wasn’t there. For the past couple of days, it had just been Carol and Stewart looking after the kids.

Carl Shaw came by during the day. Stewart’s health had gotten worse recently, so he worked from home most days.

Carol had already prepared dinner and was waiting for the three of them to come home.

After dinner, Stewart took the kids for a walk in the garden to help them digest.

Little Nina wanted to play on the slide, so Stewart played the part of her personal assistant, helping her up again and again.

After the umpteenth time lifting his daughter up, Stewart suddenly winced and started coughing.

“Cough, cough—”

He quickly set Nina down, turned aside, and pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth.

Little Nina looked up, her eyes wide and puzzled, watching her father’s back as he coughed into his handkerchief…