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...

sank into the muddy ground, her dress sodden and filthy. She was

the distance,

"BRIONY!"

of

gun

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

her

branches tearing at her, heart pounding. Ferdinand thundered after

She was lost.

the abyss before her, Briony

this was always how her story would

but she had

The sky, clear only moments ago, darkened

howled, leaves rustling

long black hair streaming behind

a

trees, shouting frantically, “Bryn, I'm not chasing

me go. Otherwise, I'll

stood several paces apart, a

down in

dress, soaked through, clung

She couldn't run anymore.

this ending

said, watching him through the curtain

could barely make out his

lashed her skin-she should have been freezing, but instead, the

was burning

escape, her body wouldn't have lasted much

Ferdinand's voice shook

uncontrollably. "Bryn, please, just

come back here. It's