Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 618

Briony stared at him, lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing.

Ferdinand had managed to dig up events from over four years ago with such precision.

That could only mean he'd already mastered every detail and person connected to Stewart's life. Back in that quiet old village, if Ferdinand had lost control even once, she and the children would never have survived.

"Ferdinand," she said at last, her voice shaking, "if you hate Stewart so much, why did you ever help little Nina recover her health?"

Ferdinand's brow arched, as if genuinely surprised by her sudden question.

He looked at Briony, a faint, unsettling smile playing on his lips. "Bryn, those two years in that small village-they were the happiest days of my life."

He lifted a hand, his palm spanning the delicate line of her neck. His eyes, usually so warm, were filled now with a tenderness that was almost painful to behold.

"I even thought, if you'd be willing to stay there quietly with little Nina, just live out your life in peace, then I could leave everything behind. I could give up that old life, and just be Mr. Ellsworth-a nobody beside you in that little town, for the rest of my days."

As he spoke, his hand suddenly tightened, closing firmly around her throat.

He squeezed, but not hard enough to hurt her just enough to show he could, if he wanted. Briony frowned but didn't struggle.

She met his gaze, her eyes cold and unyielding, not a trace of fear in them.

Ferdinand leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers.

"Bryn, I can accept that you have family, children, friends. But what I can't accept is Stewart being part of your life."

hot against her skin,

his chest, trying to put

without warning, bit down hard

pain shot through

gasped, shoving him away with all

go,

slapped him across the face, her voice

of blood from the corner of his mouth, then glanced at her ear, now bleeding freely where his teeth had left their mark. He looked satisfied,

like a blank page. You make me feel small-less than I am. Every time look at you, this voice in my head

touched her ear. It felt as if he'd bitten off a

Sticky blood coated her

of her wedding dress, spreading

memory struck her-Stewart, on that cruise ship,

sick, twisted way, forcing her hand

breathing

she was

world

she fought

she gave in, the relentless torment of fate never

Briony felt utterly

silent

my entire life is