Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Ferdinand knew it was Gifford who had told everyone that Briony was Stewart's ex-wife.

He looked at Gifford and smiled, a cold glint in his eyes.

The next moment, Gifford let out a muffled grunt and dropped to one knee, blood gushing from his thigh.

The bullet was lodged in the bone, and Ferdinand didn't hesitate to dig it out himself with his combat knife.

He pressed the bloodied bullet into Gifford's trembling hand, his own palm slick with blood. Then he patted Gifford's pale, sweat-soaked face as if he were soothing a child.

"I told you before, I don't like anyone telling me how to handle my business."

Gifford kept his head down, teeth clenched against the pain. "Mr. Ellsworth, I was wrong."

No one else dared so much as breathe.

In the end, the wedding would proceed just as Ferdinand wished-grand, extravagant, impossible to ignore.

Everyone thought he'd lost his mind, but no one dared oppose him. They could only follow along, caught in the wake of his madness.

At the reception afterward, Ferdinand raised his glass and drank with each of the heads of the family, one by one.

Every last one of them met his toast, offering hollow congratulations.

There were plenty of people present, but Ferdinand didn't let a single one off the hook. By the end of the round, he'd downed more than his fair share.

wanted in that moment was to hold Briony close,

course, and recoiled at

germs you're carrying? Are you trying to make sure I drop dead before

caught

him away. She yanked the covers higher, wrapping herself up tightly, her eyes burning with anger. "You're drunk. Go sleep it off somewhere else. Or do you want

the alcohol, but a hint of amusement flickered in

looking forward to

you wouldn't be this worried about something happening

Briony said, holding his gaze, her expression

in to press a gentle

in an instant-so quick that Briony didn't even have

and said, "Get some

watched as he left

door closed behind

shut her eyes, exhaling

I'm sick, she thought. If I were healthy, I might

Ferdinand was busier than

had arrived to help with

found it nearly impossible to communicate