Chapter 23
She slapped her thigh so hard she winced in pain, but that didn’t stop her from cursing. “Stewart is cheating in broad daylight! You’re not even divorced yet and he’s already flaunting his relationship with Rosita?!”
A dull, persistent ache spread through Briony’s chest, but her face remained blank. “It was only a matter of time.”
At this point, all she could do was face reality.
What she’d once thought was a solid, legal five–year marriage had always been, to Stewart, nothing more than a business arrangement–one he could end at any moment.
He had never taken their marriage seriously. Of course he wouldn’t think his relationship with Rosita was
wrong.
“You’re just going to let this go?” Stella looked at her, exasperated. “Even if your marriage started out as a deal, if he hadn’t lied to you about Irwin’s mother being dead, would you have agreed to marry him at all?”
Briony’s lashes trembled.
That’s right. If she’d known from the beginning that Rosita was Irwin’s mother, she never would have agreed to marry Stewart. She never would have let herself fall for him…
Even if she’d had no choice back then–if marriage was the only way out–she would have drawn a hard line, done only what was necessary to be a good stepmother.
She would never have gotten between Stewart and Rosita. She would never have let herself become the unloved, legal interloper.
The way things had turned out was humiliating–truly humiliating.
Stella looked at Briony, burning with indignation on her behalf.
She knew Briony was, deep down, a strong person. Even when she was hurting, she’d never show it. She bottled everything up. Maybe that had something to do with her upbringing. And maybe that’s why her family had always taken advantage of her–they knew she would never fight back.
Stella had thought things would get better for Briony once she cut ties with her family. She never expected Stewart and Rosita–the world’s most shameless couple–to be waiting for her on the other side.
The more Stella thought about it, the angrier she got. She whipped out her phone and logged onto Facebook.
“Stewart’s a lawyer. He’s supposed to have a sharp sense of judgment. For five years, he hasn’t been blind to your devotion–he just never cared. He saw everything you did, Bryn, and it never meant a thing to him!”
“Just wait! I’ll get you some justice. I’m going to expose them for the snakes they are-”
“Don’t.” Briony reached out and pressed her hand over Stella’s phone.
Stella looked up at her, realizing Briony truly had no intention of fighting back, and it made her even angrier.
“How can you just let it go? Five years, Bryn! Stewart and Rosita lied to you for five whole years. They cozied up behind your back and made you their free babysitter!”
“Looking after Irwin was part of the deal.”
“Bull!” Stella put her hands on her hips, voice rising. “Even if taking care of Irwin was part of the deal, why did Stewart sleep with you? If he loved Rosita so much, why drag you into this mess? He even got you pregnant… Bryn, how can you just swallow this?”
Briony froze, then pressed her lips together, mortified.
A few seconds later, she let out a bitter laugh. “It’s my fault. I was too weak.”
Stella blinked, realizing she’d gone too far. She immediately bent down and wrapped Briony in a hug.
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Chapter 23
“You’re amazing. There’s nothing wrong with you. I’m sorry, okay? I just got carried away. You know how my mouth runs when I’m upset.”
Stella held her tight, gently rubbing her thin back.
“Don’t listen to me. You’re wonderful–absolutely wonderful! If anyone’s at fault, it’s those two. If Stewart can’t see what he’s lost, that’s his problem. Our Bryn is the best in the world!”
Briony buried her face in Stella’s shoulder, her voice choked with tears. “Star, that winter night five years ago was so cold. He showed up just when I needed someone… I couldn’t help myself.”
Stella’s heart ached for her. “I know, Bryn. It’s not your fault. It’ll pass, I promise. Once the divorce is over, you’ll shine on your own. You’re brilliant–you’ll only get better from here.”
Briony clung to her, shoulders shaking. Her muffled sobs echoed in the quiet of the hospital room.
All Stella could do was hold her, tighter and tighter. Words felt useless. She knew nothing she could say would mend Briony’s shattered heart.
“Star, will you help me schedule the surgery?”
Stella closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks. “Of course.”
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