Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

After that day, Briony grew even more withdrawn.

Back when Autumn was looking after her, Briony would at least chat a little. Now, she barely spoke at all.

Sometimes she'd lie in bed, awake but silent. Other times, she'd just sit there, "looking" out the window, listening to the sound of the waves, lost in thought.

Both Autumn and Blair noticed something was wrong.

Autumn tried to engage her, searching for topics to draw her out, but Briony always seemed distracted, her answers scattered and unrelated.

Blair knew deep down that it was his secrecy that had shattered the last bit of trust and safety Briony felt.

He tried talking to her.

But Briony simply wouldn't respond.

She shut herself off more and more.

At first, she'd just avoid conversation. Then, gradually, she slipped into a pattern

of sleeping through day and night.

Blair realized she was spiraling.

After some inner struggle, he finally gave in.

This morning, as Briony woke, Blair walked in with her breakfast.

"You're awake, perfect timing for breakfast."

Briony said nothing.

Blair sat beside her, scooping up some warm porridge from the bowl and holding the spoon to her lips.

open

"Once you've had something,

caught

tingled as her eyes stung

tears, his own voice tightening.

answer, but she parted her lips

warm, comforting

Almost immediately, she frowned.

"What's wrong?" Blair asked.

then said quietly, "Give me another

obliged, feeding her another

second taste, Briony

pressed her lips together, silent for a long moment before

taste anything."

Blair froze.

added sugar," he said,

don't taste anything

all?"

smile. "It seems I've lost my sense of taste,

refused to believe

a spoonful

simmered it for over an

she

at Briony, eyes reddening at

sight, now

on earth had Ferdinand given

without taste, I can still eat," Briony said, her tone oddly calm. Let me finish. I want

afterward." Content belo, Let

fighting to keep his

composure, scooped up another