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,

sharp needle pierced

then

stretcher and carried

I use your bathroom? I

like you always keep up appearances. My

gratitude. "Thank

crossed paths, isn't it? All

wooden tub, scrubbed

her clothes so worn

her mother gently, tears slipping down her

are you

"Northborough," Briony answered.

city girl!" Farrah glanced from

cleaned, was gaunt and sallow with malnutrition, but her delicate features were

curiosity got the better of her.

Briony frowned slightly. "No."

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

twisted with

is hopeless, all matted up!" Briony gently touched

"I'll get them."

fetched a pair of

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 had turned white.

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

"From now on, I'll

Farrah called in two other

and used to hard work—they

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