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 towel, and set it in the dish

made their way to the living room, settling

"That's a huge help for her recovery. But right now, you're the only one she trusts. That's a lot for you

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

and your job. None of us can say how long Mrs. Hudson's treatment will take. You

Briony thought

mother before and

hesitation, Briony

Julia was alive, she agreed at once to come

went to the airport to

filled her

streamed down Gina's face as she clasped her hands, whispering, "Thank heavens, there really

not finding Briony, grew anxious. To distract her,

long as nothing upset her, she

Julia and Ferdinand were sitting together

cartoon played on the

Ferdinand stood and gave Gina a polite

the sight of him. She grinned and boomed, "Ms. Kensington, is this your new boyfriend? He's even more handsome than Attorney Wentworth or James! Just

let out a silent

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

response eased Briony's

said, "this is my mother's

was the last student of

in realization. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Dr.

I think. Please don't