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.

and Stewart's already found him a stepmother. It's like

felt that Ferdinand was different

And his hostility toward

was her friend, after all, and friends often took each other's

had always disliked

have custody of Mario," Briony said evenly, "but Lawyer 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."

was caught off

you truly feel

time," Briony said firmly. "If it weren't for

tone grew even more certain. "You don't need to worry about me. Whoever Stewart chooses to marry is none

in Northborough for your child's sake-that sounds to me like you're sacrificing too much. Did

found herself at a

met with silence, he realized he'd gone

let out a heavy sigh. "Sorry. That

wondering how this call had shifted so suddenly.

sighed. "Mr. Ellsworth, I know I'm not

way