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."

bowl with a paper towel, and set it in the

left the kitchen and made their way to the living

a pause. "That's a huge help for her recovery. But

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

Nina to look after, and your job. None of us can say how long

Briony thought of

for her mother before and

Briony

Gina heard Julia was alive, she agreed at once to come to Silverlake City to help

went to the airport to pick Gina

filled her in

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

finding Briony, grew anxious. To distract her,

As long as

with Gina, Julia and Ferdinand were sitting together

cartoon played

they entered, Ferdinand stood and

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

out a silent

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

gentle response eased Briony's

Briony said, "this is my mother's current

last student of the

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

Please don't