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."

dried the bowl with a paper towel, and set it in the dish rack. "Let's talk in the living

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

help for

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

your job. None

Briony thought

cared for her mother before and was a

hesitation, Briony called

agreed at once to

day, Briony went to the airport

filled her

hands, whispering, "Thank heavens, there

anxious. To

as nothing upset her,

Ferdinand were sitting

slapstick cartoon played on

they entered, Ferdinand stood and gave Gina

boomed, "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! You two make a gorgeous

let out

moment, then offered a warm smile. "Gina, you have quite the sense of humor. No wonder Ms. Kensington still

gentle response

"this is my mother's current

was the last student of the renowned

in realization. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Dr. Ellsworth! I tend to

think. Please