Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"It's only about control, isn't it?" Briony stared at him. "But it can't be cured, right?"

Ferdinand pressed his lips together, silent.

"Forget it." Briony lifted a hand to rub her aching temples. "I'd like some water."

"Of course."

Ferdinand immediately got up to fetch her a glass.

He held the water in one hand, and with the other, carefully helped Briony sit up, propping her gently against his chest.

Briony didn't want to lean on him, but she simply didn't have the strength to resist.

Worried she might choke, Ferdinand had even brought her a straw.

She took a few slow sips, and finally the dryness in her throat eased a bit.

"I'd like some soup," she said quietly.

An appetite-any appetite-was a good sign.

Ferdinand eased her back onto the bed and set the glass on the nightstand. "I'II ask Belinda to make you some broth."

"Ferdinand, I want to go outside for a walk."

"You're still recovering. It's not wise to go out in this weather."

right now," Briony replied, her tone calm as she

just don't want to be shut

her, his expression unreadable. "It's not as safe here as

have much time left.

pressed into a

looked at Briony, and she saw the conflict in his

known for a while. My sudden illness is probably connected to what you did to me

hand, hanging at his side, clenched into

bobbed, but whatever words he meant to say, he couldn't

came back,

you, but you asked if

you take anything?" he

Briony replied, locking eyes with him.

mother had leukemia."

Ferdinand looked startled.

isn't exactly hereditary, but medicine says maternal genes can have a impact. Maybe I was

and your so-called monot

a doctor-you know how sometimes the smallest chance can lead to the most

light, almost like she was discussing

had once told her she wasn't innocent, that it was saving him all those years ago which led them to this

by that same logic, Briony thought, her illness now was because of what

just a kind of

play that game,

she was gambling on