Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The wedding was scheduled for the eighth of next month—a full thirty days away.

Ferdinand had hired a professional team to handle everything, from the bridal photos to the reception. Briony didn't have to lift a finger.

Not that she'd wanted a wedding in the first place. Ferdinand had no illusions she'd be enthusiastic about any of it.

On the day of the photoshoot, Ferdinand cleared his entire schedule.

The shoot was set in St. Nortia's Chapel.

He'd booked out the whole place in advance.

Outside, Ferdinand's people formed a discreet perimeter, keeping everything tightly controlled.

Inside the chapel, a makeshift dressing room had been set up. Briony sat before the mirror, her makeup freshly applied, as the stylist helped her into the first dress. They had ten different looks to get through today. It was going to be a marathon. "Mrs. Ellsworth, you have such a beautiful figure and porcelain skin. Every gown looks like it was made just for you," the stylist gushed.

Briony stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection.

The white gown shimmered with tiny crystals-something every bride-to-be would dream of wearing.

But Briony's expression remained flat, her heart numb.

Her thoughts drifted to that divorce ceremony in Ghana.

Four long years later, here she was again, back in a white dress, feeling just as helpless and out of place as before.

fortune-teller from her childhood had been right

star-doomed to bring

Her mother, for one.

had suffered

now, her own

And finally, herself.

the stylist teased gently, watching Briony's blank reflection in the

smiled, but the expression twisted with irony. "Maybe it's just all a bit too

possibly smile, when

cold, out-of-place

every woman's dream? Why on earth wouldn't she

final touches were

door to the dressing

entrance to the chapel, dressed in a crisp white tailcoat, phone in hand, deep in

his expression pausing as he took

it's not urgent, don't call me again

then slipped it

and strode toward Briony

exchanged a knowing glance and quietly slipped out, leaving

stopped in front of Briony, eyes warm as he took her in from head to toe. He

"You look stunning, Bryn."