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.

chest, squeezed her eyes shut,

needle pierced Julia's

then closed, her body finally

a stretcher

use your bathroom? I

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

gratitude. "Thank you. I really

crossed paths, isn't it?

tub, scrubbed it clean,

so worn

gently, tears slipping down

are you

"Northborough," Briony answered.

city girl!" Farrah glanced

face, once cleaned, was gaunt and sallow with malnutrition, but her delicate

curiosity got the better of her. "That man

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

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

twisted with bitter

care. Everything he did was 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. There were so many knots. "Let's cut it," she said. "Do

"I'll get them."

a

herself cut her mother's hair short, then washed it over and over until it was truly

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

"Sweetheart, the important thing is you've found her. We always say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' Your mama's

on, I'll take good care

Farrah called

to hard work—they made quick work of

Julia was transformed-no longer the disheveled, broken