Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The door to the CEO's office burst open, slamming against the wall. A tall man strode in without hesitation, heading straight for the woman seated at the desk.

Xenia Cooper looked up at the sound, barely registering what was happening before a large hand clamped around her slender throat.noveldrama

Her breath caught, pain radiating up her neck.

"Xenia, I told you to stay away from her! Why can't you just listen?"

For a moment, Xenia stared in shock at the man whose anger had broken loose. Even though it felt like he might snap her neck, she managed to curl her lips into a smile.

It was a twisted, unhealthy kind of smile.

Footsteps echoed outside. In the next instant, arms wrapped tightly around Stewart's waist from behind.

"Let go of my mom, Stewart!"

Vernon latched onto Stewart, putting every ounce of his small strength into protecting Xenia.

Stewart's reason kicked back in, and he released his grip.

He hadn't meant to lose control in front of the boy.

Gasping, Xenia clutched at her neck and coughed, drawing in ragged breaths.

Vernon stepped forward, wanting to check if she was alright, but she shoved him away.

"Shouldn't you be in class right now? Why are you here?"

Vernon froze, his outstretched hand falling awkwardly to his side.

"Vernon, haven't you listened to a single thing I've told you?" Xenia snapped, too focused on her son to continue arguing with Stewart. She fixed her gaze on Vernon, her tone as unyielding as ever. "Get someone to take you back to your lessons. Now."

Vernon's hands hung limply at his sides. He stared at her, lips pale and pressed together, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

He was only eight, but every day was packed wall-to-wall with classes. Childhood, for him, was nothing but a string of scheduled lessons.

He hadn't even attended kindergarten. Since he was three, his whole life had been mapped out for him.

Xenia Cooper's only expectation for him was to grow into the perfect heir.

Vernon left without another word.

Xenia summoned Amy to escort him back to his private tutor, and Amy quietly closed the office door behind them.

The spacious office fell into a tense, uneasy silence.

Xenia sat back in her chair, fingers lightly tracing the red marks on her throat. She fixed her eyes on Stewart, showing neither anger nor fear.

She knew perfectly well that if Stewart truly wanted to kill her, he could do it any time. But she also knew he wouldn't.

There was Briony, and two children. He wouldn't risk it.

"Stewart, I'm just trying to help her out. She's a single mom with three kids—it's a tough life. I'm helping her find a decent husband."

Stewart's eyes were dark, his glare menacing.

"She doesn't love Maynard."

"She doesn't now, but feelings can change, can't they?" Xenia shot him a wink. Have you forgotten? You and Briony only fell in love after you got married. You had a child first, and then the feelings followed."

Stewart glared at her. He knew full well she didn't love him, and there was no real enmity between them. So why did she always seem hell-bent on making his life difficult?

"Xenia, what do you really want from all this?"

"I want you all to be miserable, of course." Xenia's smile widened, sick satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

"Stewart, do you know how jealous I am of you? Leukemia—a terrifying disease— and yet, fate still put you in my path."

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"You got what you wanted when I donated the bone marrow. That was our deal. So why are you still interfering with Bryn?" Stewart's voice was low, teeth clenched, "She's finally gotten her life back together. Don't think that just because you saved her, you can keep pushing my limits."

Xenia let out a cold laugh. "What's so hard about her life? She has two children, a circle of people who love her-she nearly died, but she came back with her family, friends, career, and money all intact. So she can't get back with you? Big deal. All she's lost is love. And love-well, it's hardly something you can't live without. So what exactly are you two so hung up on?"