Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"You're cracking jokes again—looks like you're in good spirits," Ferdinand said,

the tension in his voice easing. "That's a relief."

"I'm doing fine, Mr. Ellsworth. You don't need to worry about me."

"So, when are you planning to go back to the old town?"

Briony paused for a moment before replying, "I'm planning to stay here in Northborough."

"You're staying?" Ferdinand's surprise was obvious, mixed with clear confusion. "What made you change your mind so suddenly?"

Briony had always thought of Ferdinand as a friend, so she told him everything- how little Mario had changed these past few months, every detail and nuance.

Ferdinand listened in silence.

It was a long while before he spoke again. "So you plan to leave Mario with the Wentworths, and you'll stay in Northborough for his sake."

"That's right," Briony said. "Mario is officially registered with the Wentworth family now. Stewart and his fiancée have both been kind to him. I asked Mario how he feels, and he likes the way things are. Stewart doesn't restrict me from seeing Mario, so it's more like we're co-parenting."

Stewart's engagement to Lorna Riley had been the talk of Northborough- extravagant, impossible to ignore.

But compared to Stewart moving on so quickly, Ferdinand seemed more concerned about Briony.

reconciled with your son, and Stewart's already found him a stepmother. It's like he's deliberately trying

some reason, Briony felt that

Not in a good mood. And his hostility

Briony figured it was only natural. Ferdinand was her friend, after

had always

Hughes told me the odds of regaining custody are slim. Instead of starting a messy battle, I'd rather let Mario grow up in a peaceful environment." "You're only thinking about your son," Ferdinand's voice

caught

feel nothing for Stewart

said firmly. "If it weren't for his endless delaying and refusal

tone grew even more certain. "You don't need to worry about me.

for your child's sake-that sounds to

found herself at a

met with silence, he realized he'd

out a heavy sigh.

know you're just looking out for me." Briony closed her eyes for a moment, wondering how this call had shifted so suddenly. She'd called

know I'm not doing this perfectly, but right now,

way