Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony's Saturday was nothing if not productive.

She started her day stopping by to check on the renovations at her new house, then headed over to her studio.

Since she'd cback to Northborough, old clients had begun to turn up again— most of them seeking her out personally.

Restoring artifacts was Briony's true passion; even though she now ran Starlight Entertainment single-handedly, she still prioritized the stuabove all else.

The building now belonged to her outright. With the studio's business expanding, Briony was already planning ahead: once the lease upstairs expired after the New Year, she'd reclaim that floor and convert it into a gallery.

But not a traditional one. She wanted to combine it with a training center, focusing on outreach-offering art education to people with special needs.

It was a dream she'd carried for years.

Little Mahad almost been diagnosed with autism, and the experience left a deep impression on her. Her son had been lucky, but she knew many children didn't have the sgood fortune.

She understood her own abilities were limited, but with the opportunities and resources at her disposal, she felt compelled to do what she could-however much or little that might be.

Motherhood had only deepened Briony's belief that good deeds matter, and that by helping others, she was in ssmall way blessing her own two children.

Just last week, the excavation team had unearthed several new artifacts-all porcelain-which Carney promptly delivered to the stufor her and James Delaney to restore.

James's skills had grown to match her own.

Since giving birth to Little Nina, Briony no longer worked late into the night. With James as her partner, her workload had becmuch more manageable.

At three in the afternoon, Briony got a phone call.

It was the stuntwoman she'd met on set that day.

They agreed to meet downstairs at the café.

Her nwas Karen Smith. Once, she'd been a celebrated star in Riverview's action films-a professional through and through, both in skill and screen presence.

In fact, Briony had recognized Karen the moment she saw her on set.

She wasn't one to follow celebrities, nor did she have much tfor TV. The only reason Karen stood out in her memory was because of Crystal.

Crystal had always excelled at martial arts, but her exaggerated stage presence never translated well to the screen.

When Briony first took over Starlight Entertainment, she'd considered signing Crystal to the company.

But Bill, after reviewing Crystal's previous performances abroad, just shook his head and sighed—she wasn't cut out for show business.

It was hard enough for female action stars to make a nfor themselves; for someone like Crystal, whose talent lay solely in martial arts, breaking through was next to impossible.

Still, Briony admired Crystal's perseverance. Five years in the business-that had to cfrom genuine passion. She'd spoken to Crystal privately.

To her surprise, Crystal had thrown her arms around her. "Boss, I'll always be loyal to the little lady-please, don't makeleave!" Briony could only laugh. Once she was sure Crystal had no more ambitions in showbiz, she actually felt relieved- she wouldn't need to find someone new to protect Little Nina.

Karen looked nothing like the dazzling star she'd once been. In the café, she sat across from Briony, eyes dull and rimmed red. She must have been crying just before she arrived.

Briony said softly, "I have a friend who really admires you. She trained for years to becan action star like you-even worked as a stunt double overseas for five years." Karen managed a wan smile. "That feels like a lifetago." She'd started her career at seventeen, coming from a single-parent home. Rising from anonymous stunt work a leading lady hadn't been just about talent-it took more than a little luck.

Ten years ago, action films were all the rage in Riverview. Male stars shot to fone after another, but the leone after field was wide open for women-and Karen happened to be in the right place at the right time. vet But luck never lasts forever.

Within just five years, the industry shifted; female action stars beca rarity.

That year, Riverview was swept up in a craze for palace s, and her agency put her on ice.

She stuck it out until her contract finally expired after eight years. Then Karen left for Northborough, bringing her mother along, taking bit parts in local productions and returning to stunt work.

It was on set that she met her ex-husband. They fell in love and married within the year. There had been ssweet times-brief, but real.

"I just want to find my child," Karen said at last, pulling herself from her memories. Her voice was thin and tired. "My ex-husband took my child and hid her from me. He has a history of violence, and I'm terrified helt hurt her." Briony's expression darkened. "How many times did he hit you?"

Karen thought back. "The first twas when I was about six months pregnant. After that, he hitagain. right after I gave birth, and once more on our daughter's first month. We O argued over the christening, and he fashed out again. I was still holding our baby-he didn't care. I tried to shield her, but he shovedinto the wall. I hit my head and ended up with a mild concussion. The baby's cries brought the neighbors, and they called the police. At the station, he was all cooperation and apologies, even signed a written promise that he'd change. The police tried to mediate, and the baby was so little. I softened. I forgave him that time..."