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.

her chest, squeezed her eyes shut, and

sharp needle

eyelids fluttered and then closed, her body finally relaxing into a

lifted Julia onto a stretcher and carried her out

hand and turned to Farrah. "Could I use your bathroom? I want to bathe my mom and help

like you always keep up appearances. My place isn't fancy, but let me help

"Thank you.

we crossed paths,

the big old wooden tub, scrubbed it clean, and had them settle Julia into

her clothes so worn they tore at the lightest

slipping

are you

"Northborough," Briony answered.

city girl!" Farrah glanced from Briony

and sallow with malnutrition, but her delicate features

better of her.

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

filter at all. "I just thought you two looked good together! But he seems to care about you."

twisted with

matted up!" Briony gently touched her

"I'll get them."

fetched a pair of

washed it over

the strands, noticing how two-thirds of it

her. We always say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' Your mama's been through so

"From now on, I'll

Julia was finally clean, Farrah called in two other local

women were strong and used to hard work—they made quick work

their help, Julia was transformed-no longer the disheveled, broken woman they'd