Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"You should go." Briony took a step back, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "Stewart, Little Nina's got real musical talent. If she's ever interested in learning, you can ask my godmother to find her a good teacher. And little Mario-he's always building with Legos and solving Rubik's cubes. He's sharp, focused. If he wants, you should encourage him..."

"Bryn." Stewart cut her off, his tear-filled gaze locked on her. "Don't say these things. Don't talk like you're saying goodbye."

Briony managed a faint smile. “I just want to be prepared. Just in case."

"There is no 'just in case."" Stewart took her face in his hands, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I respect your choice, but trust me and the whole team-we'll keep you safe. Wait for us to bring you home."

Briony blinked, startled, as a loud knocking sounded behind her.

"Briony, are you alright? You didn't faint in there, did you?" Mary's voice rang out, anxious and a little shrill. Gifford must be getting suspicious.

Stewart quickly pulled on a mask, cast Briony one last, lingering look, and with two long strides, disappeared up into the attic.

His footsteps thudded rapidly overhead.

Briony waited a moment, composing herself, before turning to open the door.

Outside, Mary stood with two other staff members-and Gifford, watching her closely.

Briony swayed unsteadily.

Mary rushed forward to steady her. "You

she could act, she lowered her head and unexpectedly a bright drop of blood splattered

One drop. Then another.

blood streamed suddenly from her

Mary gasped, eyes wide with horror. "Oh

member grabbed some tissues, pressing them to

instantly, faster

"This is bad. Ms. Kensington is having a crisis -get her back to

and

into his arms and hurried

tissues to Briony's bleeding nose

kept Ferdinand on

control In the end, Ferdinand could only use every treatment he had East and West combined-to try to stabilize

week, visibly thinner

sense her mother's suffering. Every night became a nightmare, and she woke up crying, night after

evening pacing the house with her in his arms. Even when she finally fell asleep, as soon as he tried to lay her