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 shut,

sharp needle

Julia's eyelids fluttered and then closed, her body finally

onto a stretcher and carried her out

turned to Farrah. "Could I use your bathroom? I want to bathe my mom and help her change into something clean

warm smile. "I get it, city folks like you always keep up appearances. My

trembled with gratitude. "Thank

crossed paths, isn't it? All

old wooden tub, scrubbed it clean, and

filthy, her clothes so worn they tore at

washed her mother gently, tears slipping

"Where are you all

"Northborough," Briony answered.

real city girl!" Farrah glanced

sallow with malnutrition, but

of her. "That

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

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

twisted with

did was for Irwin Wentworth-nothing more. Farrah tried combing Julia's hair and frowned. "This is hopeless, all matted up!"

"I'll get them."

fetched a pair of

washed it

drying Julia's now-cropped hair, Briony stroked the strands, noticing how two-thirds of

noticed and tried to comfort her. "Sweetheart, the important thing is you've found her. We always say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' Your mama's been through so much

on, I'll take good

Julia was finally clean, Farrah called

and used to

Julia was transformed-no longer the disheveled,