Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Briony nodded, her voice soft. "I just need a moment. I'll be right in."

Ferdinand could more or less guess this had something to do with Stewart. But he didn't pry; this was Briony's private business, and if she needed to talk, she would. Since she didn't, he simply respected her wishes and left it alone.

Once he was sure she was all right, Ferdinand headed back inside, leaving Briony outside to collect herself.

Five minutes later, Briony pushed open the glass door and stepped into the living

room.

On the couch, Julia was clutching Little Nina, smothering her with kisses. The little girl, trapped in her grandmother's enthusiastic embrace, wore an expression of pure resignation-her bright eyes silently pleading for rescue.

When she spotted her mother, Little Nina blinked twice.

Watching them, Briony suddenly remembered a meme she'd seen online: "If you're being held against your will, blink twice." She couldn't help but laugh.

"Mom, you're laughing!" Little Nina protested, frowning. "Come save me! Grandma's hugging me so tight I can barely breathe!"

You couldn't really blame Julia for her outpouring of affection-Little Nina was the spitting image of Briony at that age.

In her confused state, Julia took one look at Little Nina and immediately decided she was her own 'Bryn'.

"My Bryn! My sweet Bryn!" Julia cooed, refusing to let go, repeating the name between kisses.

Little Nina, mature beyond her years, didn't struggle or complain. Instead, she just looked imploringly at Briony, her brow furrowed as if to say, "A little help here?"

Briony sat down beside her mother, speaking gently. "Mom, could you loosen up a little? You're squeezing Little Nina too hard-she's uncomfortable."

Julia shook her head, clutching Little Nina tighter. "Bryn... She's mine... My Bryn..."

Briony was trying to steal the child

head in disbelief. "Well, that's a new

only prompt Little Nina to

a

Nina cried out

Julia froze.

her mother a gentle reminder, "Mom, you're holding her too tightly. She's not

looked down at the child in her

Nina, ever the actress, squeezed out a couple of tears. "You're

at once and fumbling to wipe away her tears with the edge of her sleeve. "Don't cry, Bryn,

from all the rubbing, but she managed

sympathy for her daughter and the absurdity of the

was a cartoon on

playing on the screen,

side by side, big and small, utterly

stepped out onto the

of improvement, but to truly recover, she'd need a professional's care-someone experienced

a renowned physician who had retired to the countryside to cultivate

for him, Briony had no reservations. "You handle it. I'm fine with whatever

is going to treat her, she'll have to go out

"I'm worried she might not adjust to being

come here first, let him spend a few days getting to know Mrs.

door, Briony watched her mother and daughter, side by side

together and drew a steadying breath. "All right.

and started mumbling for