Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony's injuries from the car accident turned out to be minor; after just two days of observation, she was discharged from the hospital.

On the day she left, she headed first to Starlight Entertainment for a quick team meeting.

As she stepped out of the office, her phone buzzed. It was Mary, calling to say she'd be flying overseas in two days and wanted to treat Briony to lunch before she left.

Briony agreed.

When she arrived at the café they'd agreed on, she was surprised to see Ferdinand there as well.

Seeing Ferdinand again—after everything left Briony both chilled and furious. But she couldn't let a hint of emotion show on her face.

She remembered Cedric Clarke's warning all too well.

Composing herself, Briony greeted them both with an easy smile and took her

seat.

Mary grinned. "Briony, I ran into Mr. Ellsworth at the door. Since we bumped into each other, I thought, why not all eat together? You two know each other anyway -hope you don't mind?"

Briony could read Mary's intentions as easily as an open book.

She offered a gentle smile. "Of course not."

Mary let out a relieved sigh. "See, Mr. Ellsworth? I told you Briony's the best. She wouldn't mind at all."

Ferdinand looked over at Briony, his expression soft and polished. "Bryn really is wonderful. It's a privilege to call her a friend."

"Exactly!" Mary's eyes sparkled as she looked at Ferdinand, her smile sweet and hopeful. "See, we're both lucky. So, Mr. Ellsworth, maybe you'll consider giving me a shot at winning your heart?”

Ferdinand chuckled lightly, unfazed. "Miss Mary, you're teasing me again. Bryn is sending you abroad to help you become your best self. Don't let precious time get wasted on romance just yet."

Mary pouted dramatically and turned to Briony. "See? I've been shot down again." Briony had been quietly eating, but she looked up at Mary's complaint.

Once, she might have thought Mary and Ferdinand made a cute pair. But now...

Ferdinand was far too good at hiding his true colors. She'd seen the danger lurking beneath his charming surface, directed even at her own children.

Could someone like that truly be a good partner, a trustworthy husband? Briony doubted it.

She couldn't just stand by and watch Mary get pulled in deeper.

But she couldn't say anything directly—not with Ferdinand sitting right there. That would only make him suspicious.

"Romance can wait," Briony said,

keeping her tone light but firm.

"Focus on your studies first, net

still young-there's plenty of time for love down the road."

Ferdinand looked at her, his gentle smile fading just a little.

Briony had already lowered her head, calmly eating as if nothing had happened.

Mary took Briony's words to heart, nodding thoughtfully. "You're right. I should work on myself first-build my own strengths. Maybe then Mr. Ellsworth will see me differently. What do you think, Mr. Ellsworth?"

Ferdinand turned to her, his manner as always polite but distant. "You're very confident, Mary. Work hard."noveldrama

He'd always treated Mary this way-chivalrous, but with a line she could never quite cross.

Mary was used to it. She didn't seem discouraged at all, still convinced she had a chance.

...

After lunch, the three went their separate ways, each driving off alone.

On the way home, Briony's phone rang. Ferdinand.

She hesitated, then answered. "Mr. Ellsworth?"

"I forgot to mention earlier," his voice was smooth as ever, "Last week I made

some candied fruit for the twins again. It's in my car—I could drop it off for you?"

Candied fruit.

Briony's grip tightened on the steering wheel.

She clenched her jaw so hard it hurt, forcing herself to keep calm. Her voice came out steady, betraying none of her anger. "I'm just heading to the studio now. Why don't you bring it there?"

She couldn't let herself slip up. But she also couldn't let Ferdinand keep getting close to her children.

"Alright," Ferdinand replied.

After hanging up, Briony wavered for a moment, then dialed Carey. "I need a personal bodyguard," she said quietly. "Someone skilled—and available around the clock."