Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

The blade rose again, gleaming as it arced down toward Stewart's wrist-

Briony's eyes widened in horror. "No!"

Bang!

A gunshot rang out. The bullet struck Ferdinand's hand-the one gripping the knife.

The blade clattered to the ground.

Ferdinand clutched his bleeding hand, whirling around-

Mary stood there, both hands wrapped around a black pistol, her eyes red with grief and rage. "Ferdinand, let them go!"

He stared at her for a long moment, then let out a bitter laugh. "Mary? Even you would betray me?"

Tears streaming down her face, Mary shook her head. "Ferdinand, I love you! But you've gone too far. So many people have already died because of you too many! Please, let this go!"

"You love me?" Ferdinand threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing off the rain-slicked rocks. "Mary, this is your love? Stabbing me in the back? You foolish woman!"

"I am foolish," Mary choked out, "for loving you, yes. But Ferdinand, I've never regretted it!"

Her hands trembled as she held the gun, fear making her whole body shake, but she stood her ground. "You saved me once, and that's why I agreed to be a surrogate for you. That was my way of repaying you. But Briony helped me too— saving her is how I repay her!"

Ferdinand found it almost funny.

He'd underestimated Mary.

even have it

flinched, pupils

then." Ferdinand tapped his chest right over his heart. "Aim here. If you're going to shoot, make it count—because if I'm still breathing, I'll make sure

reaching for the fallen

screamed, agony twisting her voice. "I

Ferdinand just laughed, unfazed,

wracked with grief, the gun shaking in her

once more and turned toward Stewart,

teeth, finger tightening on the

shot exploded. Thunder

Ferdinand

Mary hadn't pulled

large frame swaying, and then fell straight

"Ferdinand!"

the pistol, stumbling forward with one hand clutching her pregnant belly, but she

reached

a split second, he gripped her, but gravity was merciless-his weight dragging her toward

he

moment of his life, his Bryn never looked back at

closed his eyes, lips

out everything.