Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

It was precisely because she had lived through it herself that she couldn't bring

herself to persuade Mary to give up the baby.

Besides, the child was already taking shape.

Already a living, breathing soul.

"Briony, can I tell you a story?"

Briony glanced at Mary, and she could more or less guess what was coming.

She crossed to a wicker chair by the side of the room and sat down.

"All right, I'm listening."

Mary, cradling her rounded belly, walked over to the window and gazed out at the world beyond. Her voice floated back, soft and slow-

"Twenty-four years ago, in the slums of Riverview, a family's fifth child was born. The father had hoped for a son, but once again, it was a daughter. Because of this, he took out his disappointment on the mother. Out of the girl's four older sisters, three were sold off by their father, and the fourth fell ill and died at fourteen because they couldn't afford a doctor. The mother couldn't bear to see her youngest go the same way, so she risked her life, scraped together whatever she could, and when the girl turned eighteen, she sent her away..."

"That girl ended up in show business. She started as an extra, working her way up from the bottom, until eventually she made a name for herself. Once she was successful, she finally had the means to rescue her mother and bring her out of that wretched place. But then the father heard about his daughter's fame and tried to blackmail her.

He called her, said if she didn't bring back half a million, he'd kill her mother. Not wanting to be a burden, her mother chose to end her own life."

Briony's head snapped up, eyes locking on Mary.

Mary turned from the window, meeting Briony's gaze, her eyes rimmed with red.

"Briony, my father always wanted a son. My mother did give him one, but he was a gambling addict. When the boy was only three, my father took him to the casino. He was so caught up in his bets that he didn't notice the child wander off. The casino was right on the docks. The boy fell into the water and drowned. By the time the fishermen dragged him out, he was already gone. And the most absurd part? It was his own negligence, but he went to a fortune-teller and was told my mother's birthdate was bad luck for him and the boy. From then on, he used that as an excuse to abuse her..."

Briony's brows drew together, her eyes troubled, sympathy flickering across her face.

But Mary only smiled. "But he's dead now. Ferdinand's people helped me take care of him."

Briony froze.

"That's why I can never hate

Ferdinand," Mary said quietly. "And I don't care if he loves me or not. He wants a child-so I'll give him one. I know he's not a good man, but at least, for once in my life, he was good to me."

"Everyone has to make their own choices and hold their own ground." Briony watched her, her expression solemn. "As long as you know what you're doing, that's enough."

"And what about you, Briony?"

Briony frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Why did you come back this time? What are you looking for?"

Briony pressed her lips together, meeting Mary's eyes.

For a long moment, silence settled over them, thick as a fog.

At last, Briony spoke. "I came back because I've accepted my fate."

Mary's frown deepened. "Accepted, it? Arenoveldrama

saying you plan to stay

Yourdinand's side for the rest of

your life?"

Briony said nothing, lips pressed tight.

Her silence was answer enough.

It's just that her "whole life" wouldn't last much longer.