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.

a hand to her chest, squeezed her eyes shut,

needle pierced

fluttered and then closed, her body finally

a stretcher and carried her out of the

"Could I use your bathroom? I

like you always keep up appearances. My

"Thank you. I really

fate we crossed paths, isn't it? All

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

was filthy, her clothes so worn they

her mother gently, tears slipping down her cheeks

asked, "Where are

"Northborough," Briony answered.

city girl!" Farrah glanced from

and sallow with malnutrition, but her delicate features were still

her. "That man outside,

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

type to speak her mind, no filter at all. "I just thought you

heart twisted with

hair and frowned. "This is hopeless, all matted up!" Briony gently touched her mother's tangled hair. There were so many knots. "Let's cut it,"

"I'll get them."

fetched a

washed

drying Julia's now-cropped hair, Briony stroked the strands, noticing how two-thirds of it had turned white. Tears

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

sniffled. "From now on, I'll take good care of

called in two other local women

used to hard work—they made quick

Julia was transformed-no longer the disheveled, broken woman