Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 165

How did Stewart even manage to find these things?

But honestly, that wasn’t really the point.

She looked up at Stewart. “And the second condition?”

Stewart met her gaze, his dark eyes steady and unreadable.

Briony’s expression remained cold, her beautiful eyes betraying not a hint of emotion.

Without a word, Stewart turned away and walked toward the tall window, stopping at a shelf beside it.

A white cloth was draped over something on the shelf.

He reached out and pulled it off in one smooth motion.

The cloth fell away, revealing a painting propped up on an easel—a portrait, rendered in soft, unfinished strokes. The figure of a man was already taking shape, even though the work was incomplete.

Briony’s eyes widened in shock. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

How on earth was this painting here?

“This is a portrait of me, isn’t it?” Stewart glanced back at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I like it. I want you to finish it—as a keepsake for me.”

Briony frowned.

She had started this painting as an anniversary gift for Stewart—their fifth. She’d begun working on it last May, sneaking into the storage room to paint whenever Stewart was out and Irwin was asleep, hoping to surprise him.

But after she found out about Stewart’s affair, she’d stopped altogether.

She’d abandoned the painting in the storage room, and on the day she moved out, she’d tossed it out along with an old travel guide.

Yet now, both those things had somehow ended up in Stewart’s hands.

Stewart clearly noticed the shock and confusion in Briony’s eyes.

“Are you wondering how I got hold of these?” he asked quietly.

“No.” Briony’s refusal was ice-cold. “We’re getting divorced, Stewart. There’s no reason for us to travel abroad together. If you want me to take Irwin somewhere, I’ll consider it—but a trip with you? Absolutely not. You’re being ridiculous.”

“Relax. It’s just business. I promise, nothing will happen between us,” Stewart said quietly. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask Dr. Joyner to come along.”

Briony stared at him for a long moment.

Finally, she asked, “Why Ghana? What’s in Ghana? If you want me to consider this, I need answers.”

“You’ll understand when we get there,” Stewart replied.

Briony glared at him, exasperated.

She honestly thought Stewart had lost his mind.

At this point, she couldn’t shake the feeling he was just toying with her.

“I’m serious, Briony,” Stewart said, his voice low and steady, as if reading her thoughts. “I’ll give you three days to decide. When you’ve made up your mind, call me.”