Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The wedding was scheduled for the eighth of next month—a full thirty days away.

Ferdinand had hired a professional team to handle everything, from the bridal photos to the reception. Briony didn't have to lift a finger.

Not that she'd wanted a wedding in the first place. Ferdinand had no illusions she'd be enthusiastic about any of it.

On the day of the photoshoot, Ferdinand cleared his entire schedule.noveldrama

The shoot was set in St. Nortia's Chapel.

He'd booked out the whole place in advance.

Outside, Ferdinand's people formed a discreet perimeter, keeping everything tightly controlled.

Inside the chapel, a makeshift dressing room had been set up. Briony sat before the mirror, her makeup freshly applied, as the stylist helped her into the first dress. They had ten different looks to get through today. It was going to be a marathon. "Mrs. Ellsworth, you have such a beautiful figure and porcelain skin. Every gown looks like it was made just for you," the stylist gushed.

Briony stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection.

The white gown shimmered with tiny crystals-something every bride-to-be would dream of wearing.

But Briony's expression remained flat, her heart numb.

Her thoughts drifted to that divorce ceremony in Ghana.

Four long years later, here she was again, back in a white dress, feeling just as helpless and out of place as before.

Maybe the fortune-teller from her childhood had been right all along.

Maybe she really was born under an unlucky star-doomed to bring misfortune to everyone close to her.

Her mother, for one.

Stella Joyner had suffered because of her, too.

And now, her own two children...

And finally, herself.

"Why isn't the bride smiling?" the stylist teased gently, watching Briony's blank reflection in the mirror. "Nerves?"

Briony's thick lashes flickered. She smiled, but the expression twisted with irony. "Maybe it's just all a bit too much."

How could she possibly smile, when her life felt like this?

The stylist blinked, a little thrown by Briony's cold, out-of-place sarcasm. Marrying someone as handsome and wealthy as Mr.

Ellsworth wasn't that every woman's dream? Why on earth wouldn't she be happy?

The final touches were finished.

The door to the dressing area opened.

Ferdinand stood at the entrance to the chapel, dressed in a crisp white tailcoat, phone in hand, deep in conversation.

He heard the door and turned, his expression pausing as he took her in.

"Do as I said. If it's not urgent, don't

call me again today," he said

phone, then slipped it into

and strode toward Briony

The two stylists exchanged a knowing glance and quietly slipped out, leaving the couple alone.

Ferdinand stopped in front of Briony, eyes warm as he took her in from head to toe. He smiled, clearly pleased.

"You look stunning, Bryn."

Briony didn't respond, barely acknowledging him. "The dress is heavy. Let's get

this over with," she said, her tone flat.

Her indifference was unmistakable.

Ferdinand saw it, but didn't let it bother him.

"Remember Ghana, more than four years ago? You wore this same dress, didn't you?"

Briony froze, staring at him. “What are you talking about?"

"You don't recognize it?"

She hesitated, glancing down at the gown.

The memory was fuzzy-she hadn't wanted to remember that day, hadn't

bothered to hold onto the details.

But Ferdinand's words shocked her.

"How would you even know that?" she demanded. "Were you having me followed back then?"

"Of course not," Ferdinand replied

with a smile. But after I found out about you and Stewart, I had someone look into everything that happened between you two. I even know he tried to cheer you up by investing in a science museum in Ghana and having two custom robots made for you."

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