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 tap, dried the bowl with a paper

kitchen and made their way to the living room, settling in on

after a pause. "That's a huge help for her recovery. But right now, you're

frowned, absorbing his words. It was true-she couldn't realistically stay by her mother's

after, and your job. None of us can say how long Mrs. Hudson's treatment

Briony thought of

cared for her mother before

Briony called

Julia was alive, she agreed at once

day, Briony went to the airport to pick Gina up

drive back, Briony filled her

as she clasped her hands, whispering, "Thank heavens, there

awoke from her nap and, not finding Briony, grew anxious. To distract her, Ferdinand switched on the TV

long as nothing

and Ferdinand were

slapstick cartoon played on

stood and gave

"Ms. Kensington, is this your new boyfriend? He's even more handsome than Attorney Wentworth or James! Just look at that jawline—and the way he carries himself!

out

a moment, then offered a warm smile. "Gina, you have quite the sense

gentle response eased

Briony said, "this is my

last student of

realization. "Oh, I'm so sorry,

think. Please don't mind