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.

forward to steady her. "You look awful—are you feeling

meant to put on a show for Gifford, but before she could act, she lowered her head and unexpectedly a bright drop of

One drop. Then another.

blood streamed suddenly from her nose,

Mary gasped, eyes wide with horror. "Oh my

member grabbed some tissues, pressing them to Briony's

blood soaked through instantly, faster than they

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

went black, and she knew

unconscious body into his arms

Briony's bleeding nose as

Ferdinand on edge for an

leukemia was almost impossible to control In

and West combined-to try

unconscious for a week, visibly thinner when she finally

those seven days, far away in Cloudcrest City, Little Nina seemed to sense

night

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