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.

have it in you

pupils

heart. "Aim here. If you're going to shoot, make it count—because if I'm still breathing, I'll make sure none of

reaching for the

twisting her voice. "I mean it—I'll shoot, I really will

laughed, unfazed,

with grief, the gun shaking in

once more and turned toward Stewart, Mary's composure cracked.

clenched her teeth, finger tightening on

shot exploded.

bullet struck Ferdinand

hadn't pulled

frame swaying, and then

"Ferdinand!"

with one hand clutching her pregnant belly, but she was too

Ferdinand fell, he reached out and caught Briony's

their palms slick and impossible to hotd. For a split second, he gripped her, but gravity was merciless-his weight dragging her toward the

widened as he locked onto hers.

his life, his Bryn never looked back

his eyes, lips

cliff was too high. The storm drowned out everything. When he