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.

pressed a hand to her chest, squeezed her eyes shut, and

sharp needle

worked quickly; Julia's eyelids fluttered and then closed,

lifted Julia onto a stretcher

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

smile. "I get it, city folks like you always keep up appearances. My place isn't fancy, but let me

gratitude. "Thank you. I

we crossed paths, isn't it? All right,

scrubbed it clean,

filthy, her clothes so worn they

slipping down her cheeks the entire

"Where are

"Northborough," Briony answered.

Farrah glanced

was gaunt and sallow with

got the better of her. "That man outside,

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

her mind, no filter at all. "I just thought you two looked good together! But he seems to care about you." Care

heart twisted with

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

"I'll get them."

fetched a pair

short, then washed it over and over until it was

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

say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' Your mama's been

now on, I'll take good care of

finally clean, Farrah called in two other

strong and used to hard work—they made quick

help, Julia was transformed-no longer the