Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

The blade rose again, gleaming as it arced down toward Stewart's wrist-

Briony's eyes widened in horror. "No!"

Bang!

A gunshot rang out. The bullet struck Ferdinand's hand-the one gripping the knife.

The blade clattered to the ground.

Ferdinand clutched his bleeding hand, whirling around-

Mary stood there, both hands wrapped around a black pistol, her eyes red with grief and rage. "Ferdinand, let them go!"

He stared at her for a long moment, then let out a bitter laugh. "Mary? Even you would betray me?"

Tears streaming down her face, Mary shook her head. "Ferdinand, I love you! But you've gone too far. So many people have already died because of you too many! Please, let this go!"

"You love me?" Ferdinand threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing off the rain-slicked rocks. "Mary, this is your love? Stabbing me in the back? You foolish woman!"

"I am foolish," Mary choked out, "for loving you, yes. But Ferdinand, I've never regretted it!"

Her hands trembled as she held the gun, fear making her whole body shake, but she stood her ground. "You saved me once, and that's why I agreed to be a surrogate for you. That was my way of repaying you. But Briony helped me too— saving her is how I repay her!"

Ferdinand found it almost funny.

He'd underestimated Mary.

"Mary, do you even have it in you to kill someone?"

She flinched, pupils dilating with fear.noveldrama

"Go on, then." Ferdinand tapped his chest right over his heart. "Aim here. If you're going to shoot, make it count—because if I'm still breathing, I'll make sure none of them leave here alive."

He stooped, reaching for the fallen blade.

"Ferdinand! Stop!" Mary screamed, agony twisting her voice. "I mean it—I'll shoot, I really will "

But Ferdinand just laughed, unfazed, his movements steady.

Mary sobbed, her whole body wracked with grief, the gun shaking in her hands.

As Ferdinand lifted the blade once more and turned toward Stewart, Mary's composure cracked. "You're forcing me..."

She clenched her teeth, finger tightening on the trigger-

A shot exploded. Thunder rolled overhead.

The bullet struck Ferdinand square in the chest.

But Mary hadn't pulled the trigger.

Ferdinand staggered backward, his large frame swaying, and then fell straight over the edge of the cliff.

"Ferdinand!"

Mary dropped the pistol, stumbling forward with one hand clutching her pregnant belly, but she was too late.

As Ferdinand fell, he reached out and caught Briony's hand.

The rain was relentless, making their palms slick and impossible to hotd. For a split second, he gripped her, but gravity was merciless-his weight dragging her toward the abyss.

Ferdinand's eyes widened as he locked onto hers. "Bryn..."

In the final moment of his life, his Bryn never looked back at him.

He closed his eyes, lips twisting into a sorrowful smile.

The cliff was too high. The storm drowned out everything. When he fell, not even

an echo returned.

Briony, yanked so violently by

Ferdinand, nearly tumbled after him.

As Stewart's grip on her faltered, another hand shot out-one of their

comrades, come to their aid-catching Briony just in time.

They hauled her back from the edge, but she'd already lost consciousness.

Stewart cradled Briony, her feverish body limp and unresponsive, panic carved into his features. "Bryn! Bryn..."

"Briony has leukemia!" Mary crawled over, sobbing, her voice hoarse. "We have to get her to a hospital-right now!"

Without hesitation, Stewart scooped Briony into his arms, blood pouring from his own wounded arm, oblivious to the pain.

"Get the car! Hospital, now!"

The drive down the mountain was torturously slow, the muddy road treacherous in the storm.

Stewart held Briony close, his large hand gently brushing her gaunt, pale cheek. His hand was ice-cold, fingertips shaking.

The driver glanced at him over and over in the rearview mirror, seeing the usually composed and rational Mr. Wentworth silently weeping since the moment they'd gotten in the car.

He made no sound, but the tears kept falling, unchecked.

The driver understood these were tears shed for someone he loved.

The terror of losing his beloved had shattered every last bit of Stewart's strength

and pride.