Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The return trip would take another four hours a daunting challenge for Julia in her current state.

Briony couldn't bear the thought of sedating Julia, but deep down, she knew it was the only option left.

Even administering the sedative was proving difficult.

Julia refused to let anyone near her.

Perhaps it was the sheer number of people today. Normally, Julia would at least let Farrah approach, but as soon as Farrah stepped into the barn, Julia shrieked

in terror and hurled fistfuls of straw at her, trembling with panic.

Farrah had no choice but to retreat.

"Maybe it's just too crowded for her," Farrah sighed. "It's usually just me coming in -she never acts like this."

"Then we need to be firm," Stewart said, the authority in his voice unmistakable. "Judd, take the team and go in."

Before Briony could protest, Judd and the other four team members rushed into the barn.

"Wait!" Briony started forward, but Stewart caught her arm.

"Briony, I know you want to spare Mrs. Hudson, but when someone's lost touch with reality, this is the only way."

Briony froze.

She watched, helpless, as Judd and the others pinned Julia to the ground.

Julia was terrified, her face streaked with tears and snot, wailing incoherently- Briony couldn't make out a word.

Briony herself was already crying, unable to watch as the straw beneath Julia grew damp.

to her chest, squeezed her eyes

needle pierced Julia's

quickly; Julia's eyelids fluttered and then closed, her body finally relaxing into

lifted Julia onto a stretcher and carried her out of the

I

it, city folks like you always keep up appearances. My place

voice trembled with gratitude. "Thank

we crossed paths, isn't it? All

big old wooden tub, scrubbed it clean, and had them

worn they tore at the

mother gently, tears slipping

are you all

"Northborough," Briony answered.

real city girl!" Farrah glanced

cleaned, was gaunt and sallow with malnutrition, but her

better of her. "That man outside,

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

Farrah was the type to speak her mind, no filter at all. "I

twisted with

for Irwin Wentworth-nothing more. Farrah tried combing Julia's hair and frowned. "This is hopeless, all matted up!" Briony gently touched her mother's tangled hair.

"I'll get them."

fetched a pair

mother's hair short, then washed

stroked the strands, noticing how two-thirds of it had turned white. Tears

"Sweetheart, the important thing is you've found her. We always say, 'What doesn't

sniffled. "From now on, I'll take

called in two other local

to hard work—they made quick

help, Julia was transformed-no longer