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.

to steady her. "You look awful—are you

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

One drop. Then another.

blood streamed suddenly from her

Mary gasped, eyes wide with horror. "Oh my

member grabbed some tissues, pressing them to Briony's

soaked through instantly, faster than

bad. Ms. Kensington is having a crisis -get

black, and

body into his

tissues to Briony's bleeding nose as

Ferdinand on edge for an

impossible to control In the end, Ferdinand

West combined-to try to stabilize

unconscious for a week, visibly thinner when she

away in Cloudcrest City, Little Nina seemed to sense her

Every night became

woke up crying, night after

arms. Even when she finally fell asleep,