Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Julia stifled a yawn, her eyelids heavy with sleep.

Briony blinked back tears and gently coaxed Julia into her bedroom, tucking her in

for a nap.

Only after Julia had drifted off did Briony quietly slip out of the room.

The sound of running water drifted from the kitchen.

Briony headed toward it.

Inside, Ferdinand was rinsing out the bowl Julia had used to take her medicine. He stood tall and lean, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black slacks, broad- shouldered and long-legged.

Briony hurried in. "Mr. Ellsworth, you really shouldn't be washing dishes. Please, let me "

"It's just a bowl." Ferdinand dodged her outstretched hand, his tone easy. "No trouble at all."

Briony pressed her lips together and withdrew her hand. "Thank you. I'm sorry for burdening you with all this these past days."

He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Aren't we friends?"

She hesitated, meeting his questioning gaze, and gave a helpless nod. "We are, but-"

"Friends help each other. That's perfectly normal." His voice was low and gentle. "Is Mrs. Hudson asleep?"

Briony's lips curved in a tired smile. "She lay down and was out in minutes."

the magic touch." Ferdinand turned off the tap, dried the bowl with a paper

and made their way to the living room, settling

huge help for

was true-she couldn't realistically stay by her mother's side every hour of

got Little Nina to look after, and your job. None of us can say how long Mrs. Hudson's treatment will take. You

thought of

mother before and was a

hesitation, Briony called

Gina heard Julia was alive, she agreed at

next day, Briony went to the airport to pick Gina

filled

clasped her hands, whispering, "Thank heavens, there really

grew anxious. To distract her, Ferdinand switched on

like a child. As long as nothing upset her,

Julia and Ferdinand were

played

they entered, Ferdinand stood and gave Gina a polite

He's even more

out

have quite the sense of humor. No wonder Ms. Kensington still

response eased

Briony said, "this is my mother's current physician-Dr.

student of the renowned Dr.

realization. "Oh, I'm so

think. Please don't mind