Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Briony stared at the bowl of herbal broth placed before her, her brow furrowing in suspicion.noveldrama

Ferdinand watched her, an amused glint in his eye. "Are you worried I've poisoned it?"

She glanced up at him.

The truth was, she was.

"Briony, just drink it. It's all out of Mr. Ellsworth's concern for you," Mary chimed in with a sweet smile.

Briony shot her a look, then picked up the bowl and downed it in one go. The broth had a faint medicinal taste, but it wasn't unpleasant.

Setting the empty bowl on the table, she stood up abruptly. "I'm done. I'll head to my room and rest," she said coolly.

Ferdinand didn't try to stop her.

Back in her room, Briony rushed straight to the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Moments later, the sound of retching echoed from inside.

A few minutes passed before she emerged, pale and unsteady. As soon as she raised her eyes, she found herself caught in Ferdinand's gaze.

She froze.

Ferdinand smiled, a hint of mischief in his expression. "Bryn, it's not good for you to throw up the medicine. Luckily, I had Belinda prepare an extra bowl."

Briony stared at him in disbelief.

He stepped forward, holding out a fresh bowl of broth. "Come on, be good and drink it."

A chill ran down Briony's spine.

This wasn't medicine-this was poison.

"Ferdinand, do you have to do this to me?" Her voice trembled as she looked at him. "Fred treated your mother like a guinea pig, and now you're doing the same to me?"

"Bryn, don't be ridiculous. It's just a restorative soup." Ferdinand's smile softened. "You've been under my care before. If I'd wanted to harm you, do you think you'd still be alive and well today?"

Briony felt as if her heart had been plunged into arctic waters.

That icy dread seeped into her very bones.

Back then, both she and little Nina had relied on Ferdinand's prescriptions to recover. If he'd intended to poison them from the beginning...

"Bryn, there's no need to doubt me.” Ferdinand's tone turned serious. All I want is you. I'd never hurt you know you've already figured out that I tampered with the hawthorn candies."

Briony's eyes widened. "Ferdinand! So you admit it? How could you? The children are innocent!"

“It was just a bit of plaster powder. It wouldn't actually harm the kids."His eyes darkened. "Bryn, there's nothing to fear as long as you cooperate. I promise, nothing like that wil happen again."

Briony lowered her gaze, staring at the bowl in her hands.

After a long pause, she looked up at him. "Ferdinand, I can't fight you anymore. I

give up. But I have only one request-don't hurt my children."

He smiled thinly. "That depends on you."

Briony took the bowl, lifted it to her lips, and drank every drop.

Ferdinand watched her finish, took the bowl, and set it on the nightstand. Then he gently slipped his arm around her shoulders. "It's You should get some rest."

12th

Briony's whole body was tense. "Until we're married, I want you to respect my boundaries."

"Don't worry. I'll stay until you fall asleep, then I'll leave."

She was on the verge of breaking down.

There was a terrifying calmness to Ferdinand now—a quiet, simmering madness.

She was trapped, cut off from the outside world, unable to fight back for fear that Ferdinand would take out his anger on her children.

She forced all her emotions deep inside, every nerve taut as she lay on the bed like a prisoner, with Ferdinand watching over her.

Briony had thought she wouldn't be able to sleep at all. But strangely, as soon as she lay down, drowsiness crept in.

She knew, without a doubt, it was the broth.