Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"Fiona is a complete control freak. That's why my father couldn't stand her back then-he faked his death just to get away from the Wentworth family."

Briony's mind was spinning.

She didn't know if she should believe Ferdinand or not.

"You're saying your father is Fred. Does Stewart know about this?"

“He didn't before.” Ferdinand paused. “But I'm pretty sure he knows now. My guess is he's already warned you not to get too close to me."noveldrama

Briony pressed her lips together.

Yes, Stewart had warned her more than once to stay away from Ferdinand.

"Bryn, I know it's hard for you to take my word for it right now, and I'm not going to push you. But if I knew the truth and kept it from you, I'd never forgive myself."

"I understand." Briony raised a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. "Thank you for telling me."

"I'll let you go. If you need to talk, or if there's anything else you want to know, call me anytime."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Briony slumped forward, resting her head on the steering wheel. Her thoughts were a tangled mess.

She couldn't bring herself to trust everything Ferdinand had said.

But if he was telling the truth, then it meant Ferdinand had known about her and Stewart all along.

If that were the case, maybe Ferdinand had gotten close to her on purpose from the start.

The thought sent a chill down her spine.

No. She couldn't let herself spiral just based on Ferdinand's version of events.

She needed to see Mario at Southcreek Manor.

...

Meanwhile, in a private apartment across town—

Gifford watched Ferdinand sitting

the

q voice cautious a

печь

O you think Ms. Kepon

is going to believe you?"

"She won't," Ferdinand replied darkly. "But she'll go looking for the truth."

Gifford sighed. "I just hope Ms. Kensington can get that boy away from Stewart."

Ferdinand got to his feet. "Pack up. We're going to Northborough."

When Briony arrived at Southcreek Manor, Lorna had just picked little Mario up from preschool.

Lorna walked ahead, with Mario trailing behind her in tiny,

determined steps, quietly recite net

lines from a poem.

His voice was high and clear, his small frame full of energy.

If Ferdinand's words weren't still echoing in her mind, Briony might have found the scene heartwarming.

But the details didn't lie-Lorna was walking ahead, leaving Mario behind and out of her sight.

The walk from preschool to the manor crossed a busy intersection.

Briony shuddered to think: did Lorna always let Mario lag behind like this when crossing the street?

As Lorna stepped into the courtyard, her eyes unexpectedly met Briony's.

"Ms. Kensington?" Lorna looked surprised. "What brings you here?"

Briony walked over, masking her anger and forcing a polite smile as she greeted her.

"Hello, Ms. Riley. Sorry for dropping in unannounced."

"No need to apologize, Ms. Kensington. You and Stewart are always welcome here."

Briony

weeked at her son. "Mario home for a few days." ingel

hasn't been over to my place in a came by today to take him