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.

loud it was almost a shriek. "If you don't run, all three of us are going to die right here. Or do you want your child to be the son of a

her jaw, and finally turned and ran, stumbling and limping down the slope. The pain in her ankle

was supposed to be simple: Mary would lure Ferdinand out of the car,

Briony had chosen to give Mary the chance to escape

back. All she could do was run with everything she had, her heart pounding

"Briony!"

everything clicked for

whipped 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?

I'd marry the devil, I'd rather face the wrath of hell

"You-"

"Mr. Ellsworth-!"

he collapsed at

shoved Briony into the

and gunned the

bet

bouncing in the back,

Ferdinand burst

did you really think you

in horror as Ferdinand rolled down the

who was fleeing through

What are you

our child can't stay with us,

coldly, finger tightening

"No!"