Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Nortia, Marblecliff International Airport.

The private jet touched down, engines humming as it taxied to a stop. When the cabin door opened, a flight attendant carefully guided Briony Kensington down the steps.

Briony's eyes were sightless, taking in nothing of the bright, unfamiliar world

around her. All she could feel was the thick, humid air pressing against her skin- a reminder that days in this tropical country were always oppressively warm.

Waiting on the tarmac was Gifford, here on behalf of Ferdinand Ellsworth. He watched as the flight attendant helped Briony into the car, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Gifford slid behind the wheel. The drive began in silence-Briony was calm, her expression unreadable.

Every so often, Gifford glanced at her through the rearview mirror, half-expecting signs of distress or resistance. But Briony sat quietly, not a trace of fear or anger on her face. As Ferdinand's most trusted aide, Gifford knew exactly what his employer had put Briony through. Her composure surprised him.

The ride to Sanctonia Private Estate took nearly forty minutes. Briony, worn out and pale, gradually drifted off in the back seat, her head slumping gently against the upholstery.

They finally arrived. The car rolled through the gates and into the manicured grounds. Gifford parked, stepped out, and opened the door.

"We're here, Ms. Kensington," he announced.

Briony stirred, rubbing her temples as she woke. Her hands reached out, feeling for the edge of the door. She steadied herself and carefully stepped out, moving with the caution of someone who could no longer trust their own senses.

Gifford hovered nearby, his hands raised protectively, careful not to touch her. If Ferdinand saw him lay a hand on her, there would be hell to pay.

soon as Briony found her balance, hurried footsteps approached

me help you!" Belinda's voice

nodded, her tone

her arm,

had barely crossed into the living room when Mary came down the stairs, her eyes wide in

and down. "What happened? Why

was calm, almost numb. "I don't want to end up a

that. After a moment, she lowered her voice. "Isn't there anyone else who can

shook her

taste. The doctors say I was poisoned-and it

caught

the rumble of a car sounded from

Ferdinand had returned.

politely as he stepped inside, then

the moment he entered, Ferdinand's eyes never left Briony.

Mary's face, but she masked it