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.

from her childhood had been right

an unlucky star-doomed to bring misfortune

Her mother, for one.

suffered because of

her own

And finally, herself.

smiling?" the stylist teased gently, watching Briony's blank

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

she possibly smile, when her

Briony's cold, out-of-place sarcasm. Marrying someone

Why on earth wouldn't she

final touches

door to the dressing area

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

the door and turned, his expression pausing as he took

I said. If it's not urgent, don't call me again today,"

slipped

and strode toward Briony

glance and quietly

Briony, eyes warm as he took her in from head to toe. He smiled,

"You look stunning, Bryn."