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."

tap, dried the bowl with a paper towel, and set

the kitchen and made their way to the living

and surroundings give Mrs. Hudson a sense of security," Ferdinand said after a pause. "That's a huge help for her recovery. But right now, you're the only one she trusts. That's

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

"You've got Little Nina to look after, and your job. None of us can say

Briony thought of

mother before

Briony called

at

next day, Briony went to the airport

drive back, Briony filled

whispering, "Thank heavens, there really is justice in this world! Good things do

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

like a child. As long as nothing upset her, she was

Gina, Julia and Ferdinand were

cartoon played on the screen-Julia's

Ferdinand stood and gave

eyes widened at 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 look at that jawline—and the way he carries himself! You two make a gorgeous

let out

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

response eased Briony's

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

last student of the

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

Please don't mind