Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The car door swung open, and Ferdinand climbed out, drawing his pistol as he stepped onto the gravel.

Gifford staggered, a bullet lodged in his back, but his bulletproof vest had saved him he didn't go down.

Shielding Mary with his body, Gifford hurried her toward the car.

When he saw Ferdinand rushing to meet them, Gifford shoved Mary forward. "It's an ambush! You two get out of here—now!"

Ferdinand caught Mary as she nearly collapsed in his arms. He glanced anxiously at Gifford. "Are you alright?"

"I'll live," Gifford said, holding Ferdinand's gaze. "Mr. Ellsworth, if I make it out of this, I'll find you. But if I don't... well, I hope you get what you want."

Ferdinand's brow furrowed, but before he could answer, several armed men burst from the undergrowth.

"Go!" Gifford yelled.

Gritting his teeth, Ferdinand dragged Mary toward the car.

At the same moment, Briony suddenly flung the passenger door open and sprang out.

Gunfire erupted all around as Briony ran straight toward them.

"Bryn!" Ferdinand shouted, his eyes wide with panic. Without thinking, he shoved Mary aside and sprinted to catch Briony in his arms.

She clung to him, but her eyes were locked on Mary. "Run! Get down the hill-just go!"

Mary froze, shaking her head through her tears. "Briony, I can't. You should be the one running-"

"Mary, run!" Briony screamed, her voice raw and desperate. "If I can trade my life for you and your child, it's worth it! Get down the hill-someone's waiting for you at the bottom!"

Mary kept sobbing.

the verge of breaking down, yelling so loud it was almost a shriek. "If you don't run, all three of us are going to die right here.

ran, stumbling and limping down the

plan was supposed to be simple: Mary would lure Ferdinand out

chosen to give Mary the chance to

dare look back. All she could do was run with everything she had,

"Briony!"

clicked

out his pistol and pressed it to Briony's forehead. "You've been working with them all along, haven't you? Using yourself as bait?

the devil, I'd rather

"You-"

"Mr. Ellsworth-!"

cry rang out as he collapsed at Ferdinand's

clenched his jaw and shoved

seat and gunned the engine,

bet

back,

Ferdinand burst

really think

the handle, Briony watched in horror as Ferdinand rolled down the

Mary, who was fleeing

What are you

can't stay with us,

coldly, finger

"No!"