Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 453

Engagement?

Briony lowered her gaze to the invitation being held out in front of her.

She didn’t reach for it.

“Take it back, Lorna.” Briony looked up, meeting Lorna’s eyes. “Stewart and I aren’t exactly on friendly terms after the divorce. If I accept this invitation, I’ll be expected to send a gift—frankly, it’s just a hassle.”

“There’s really no need for so much hostility, Ms. Kensington.”

Lorna gave her a light, practiced smile. “I can’t have children of my own. Stewart only has Mario, so the Wentworth family will depend on him one day. I hope Mario will care for me in my old age, so I’ll treat him as if he were my own son. I truly want to get along with you, Ms. Kensington—for all our sakes.”

Briony frowned.

She can’t have children?

“Go on, take it. As Mario’s new stepmother, I genuinely hope for your support as his mother.”

With that, Lorna pressed the invitation into Briony’s hand, took little Mario by the hand, and turned to get into the car.

Briony watched as the car pulled away.

James strolled over, took the invitation from her, and unfolded it with a skeptical look.

“Stewart is really something. He made you promise in the divorce papers not to remarry for three years, and now he’s practically married again himself!”

The more James thought about it, the angrier he got. “Maybe I should send him a box of condolence cards as a wedding gift!”

“Mario is actually comfortable around Ms. Riley,” Briony said quietly.

James paused, glancing at her. “What do you mean by that?”

“He’s sensitive. If Ms. Riley weren’t sincere with him, Mario wouldn’t be so willing to get close. Plus, I’ve heard from Carol that, while Lorna can be strict, she’s willing to spend real time with Mario.”

James still didn’t quite get it. “So?”

“I won’t go to the engagement party. Will you take a gift for me?”

He frowned. “You’re really going to send them a present? Who does that? Since when does an ex-wife send a gift when her ex-husband gets engaged? Briony, you’re way too generous.”

“Mario spends more time with them than with me now.”

Leilani’s work was rare, and every piece was highly sought after.

Owning a Leilani masterpiece had become something of an obsession among Northborough’s elite.

After the party, Stewart and Lorna set off on their honeymoon, planning to be away for nearly a month.

They left in a hurry, and their driver dropped Carol and little Mario off at Skybreeze Retreat.

Lorna called Briony only after they had arrived.

Since their previous conversation, Briony and Lorna had exchanged contact information. They even had each other's numbers, though they’d never actually messaged.

There was a lot of background noise—Lorna must have been at the airport.

“Ms. Kensington, I’m so sorry—I forgot to tell you in advance. Stewart and I are going on our honeymoon, so I’ll have to leave Mario in your care for now.”

Briony’s voice was calm and even. “That’s fine.”

“Mario’s preschool classes shouldn’t be interrupted. I’ve already told the driver—he’ll make sure Mario gets picked up and dropped off every day.”