Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Ferdinand sat behind the wheel, blood trickling down his forehead.

Yet he was laughing a cold, hollow laugh that echoed with despair. "Bryn, be good. Come back. Take one more step, and I'll have no choice but to pull the trigger."

Briony met his gaze, unflinching.

The gun was pointed right at her; fear clawed at her chest-she'd have to be inhuman not to feel it.

But after coming this far, how could she possibly turn back now?

"I'm not going back, Ferdinand."

Slowly, Briony lifted her hands. She removed her veil, slipped off her earrings, tugged the necklace from her throat.

With the back of her hand, she wiped the lipstick from her lips, her steady eyes never leaving Ferdinand. "I'd rather die than be your bride."

Ferdinand stared at her, eyes bloodshot and wild.

"Bryn, you're breaking my heart."

Briony gave a small, determined smile, then turned away, walking forward without hesitation-

Bang!

A shot rang out. The bullet struck the earth at her feet.

She froze for a split second—a reflexive flinch in the face of danger.

But then, gathering her skirts, she pressed on, stepping through mud and puddles toward freedom-

Bang!

Another shot, splintering the trunk of a tree just inches from her.

Briony's face was set, almost serene, as if ready to meet death with open arms. She kept walking.

One step, two steps...

sodden and

retreating figure seemed so slight in the

"BRIONY!"

Ferdinand emptied the rest of the

tossing aside the gun and leaping from

you have to die, then you'll die by my

gathered her gown and

branches tearing at her, heart pounding. Ferdinand thundered after her, but

She was lost.

before her, Briony laughed

how her

paths down the mountain, but she had chosen

an instant. The sky, clear only moments ago, darkened with

leaves rustling furiously around

her long black hair streaming behind her in the

took a

“Bryn, I'm not chasing

go. Otherwise, I'll jump.

apart, a gulf

down in

wedding dress, soaked through, clung to her body, heavy

She couldn't run anymore.

this ending was

yourself in, Ferdinand," Briony said, watching him through

could barely make out his face through

skin-she should have been freezing, but instead, the cold felt

she was

desperate escape, her body wouldn't

Ferdinand's voice shook

uncontrollably. "Bryn, please, just

come back here. It's