Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

On the drive back, Briony called Carey and asked her to have PR issue an immediate statement to clear up the rumors online.

Carey was nothing if not efficient; within minutes, the clarification was out.

When they arrived at Skybreeze Retreat, Cedric Clarke helped Briony inside. Gwendolyn White spotted Briony's injury at once and rushed over, worry etched across her face. "What happened to you?"noveldrama

Briony brushed it off. "Just twisted my ankle by accident."

But Gwendolyn had already seen the news circulating online. While Cedric was still around, she held her tongue. The moment he left, though, she couldn't contain herself any longer. "I saw the news about you and Maynard. He seems like a decent man-thirty-five, no scandals to speak of. Maybe you should give him a chance."

"Godmother, he's just a business associate. That's all."

"Well, business associates can make the best matches. At least you know your values line up. And the way he looks at you-it's obvious he's interested. Why not see where it goes?"

Briony sighed and pressed her lips together. "Honestly, I'm not in the right headspace for any of that right now. I'm exhausted. I just want to rest."

Gwendolyn shook her head, exasperated. "Every time the topic of relationships comes up, you run for the hills. If you keep this up, half of Northborough will think you're still pining for Stewart."

Briony just stared at her, at a loss for words.

"Reverse psychology won't work on me," she finally said. "Please, let's drop it."

Gwendolyn shot her a sidelong glance. "One day you'll be older and realize how lonely it can get. When you can't find anyone suitable, you'll regret not settling down while you still had choices."

Briony just smiled slightly, unmoved. "I have money, and my daughter. I doubt I'll ever feel that lonely."

Gwendolyn gave her a huff. "There's no arguing with you!" But she softened, taking Briony's arm. "Come on, let me help you upstairs. Get some rest."

Briony smiled, touched. "Thank you, Godmother."

Gwenned, shaking her head. "Now I know exactly Little Nina gets her sly

inherited every bit of its

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Briony just laughed, making no attempt to deny it.

With her ankle sprained, Briony was stuck at home for a while.

For the next week, she worked remotely, while Carey dropped by Skybreeze Retreat each day to check in on her.

On the fourth day, Ferdinand paid a visit.

He brought some homemade cranberry candies and a jar of herbal ointment for her sprain.

They'd been friends for years, and since Ferdinand was the one who'd helped Little Nina recover her health, Briony couldn't very well turnchim

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Little Nina greeted him politely with a "Mr. Ellsworth," but she no longer flung

herself into his arms the way she used to.

Ferdinand noticed the change in her immediately, though he said nothing.

He stayed for a while, chatting quietly, but eventually stood to leave.

At the door, he hesitated. "Briony, is it because of my history with Stewart that you won't even consider me?"

Briony let out a weary sigh. She didn't want to give Ferdinand false hope, so she answered honestly. "It's not about Stewart. I just don't plan on looking for anyone new. I have my work, I have my daughter and I'm genuinely content with the life I've built. Love isn't something I need right now. I'm happy as I am, and I don't want to change."

Ferdinand looked at her, his expression shadowed. "Because you have money and family now..."

He lowered his gaze, hiding the complicated emotions in his eyes. "I understand."