Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

But it had never occurred to her that someone as gentle and refined as Ferdinand might have approached her with an ulterior motive.

Even his impressive medical skills could, at any moment, become weapons meant to harm.

Disappointment washed over Briony, but fear outweighed it.

How much more was Ferdinand hiding from her?

This side of him-so deep and inscrutable-made her deeply uneasy.

How could she trust any talk of love or care coming from his lips?noveldrama

Ferdinand produced the engagement ring once more.

Under the lights, the diamond sparkled brilliantly.

He held the ring out to her. "Bryn, say yes. Give me the chance to protect you- openly and rightfully."

Briony couldn't take it anymore.

She closed her eyes, took a steadying breath, and when she looked at Ferdinand again, her expression was weary.

"Ferdinand, at most we're friends. There's nothing more between us, and there never will be."

"Why?" Ferdinand looked at her, the emotion in his gentle eyes impossible to miss. "Bryn, we always got along so well. If not for the whole Wentworth Group inheritance mess, you never would have pulled away from me."

"Whether in the past or now, I only ever saw you as a friend." Briony met his gaze, her voice earnest. "Ferdinand, please don't make this harder than it has to be. There's never been anything but friendship between us."

"Friendship?" Ferdinand echoed. "You used to trust me completely. But now, when you look at me, I see nothing but caution and suspicion. Bryn, Stewart hurt you, yet you managed to forgive him. Why can't you do the same for me?"

"There's no question of forgiving or not forgiving with Stewart. He's gone. There's no point in comparing yourself to him. Neither of you are the one I choose."

"Is it because I'm a Wentworth too?"

"That's not it." Briony shook her head. "Feelings aren't something you can manufacture with a few words."

"Feelings can grow," Ferdinand insisted softly. "Just give me a chance."

She looked at him, firm but gentle. "Ferdinand, whether it's lovers, friends, or even family, it all comes

to fate. Our fate ends here.

don't force it."

"Those are just excuses," Ferdinand murmured, lowering his gaze. "You just can't

let go of Stewart."

Briony frowned. "Why do you keep bringing him up?"

She realized she no longer felt anything deep for Stewart.

There was some regret, perhaps.

But that regret was only because she'd never imagined he'd die so young, or that their two children would lose their father before they'd even grown up.

"Because you risked everything to give him two children. Bryn, maybe I'll never measure up to Stewart, but I know you loved him so fiercely because he was there for you when you were most lost and alone. You saw him as your savior, and you couldn't help falling for him."

Briony knew there was nothing more to say.

Ferdinand was trapped in his own stubborn convictions.

But Stewart was gone. If using him as an excuse could finally get Ferdinand to let go, she saw no reason to argue further.

"Ferdinand, I'm happy with my life as it is. I don't want to change for anyone. So please, don't make this harder for me."

"Why?" Ferdinand looked up, his gaze searching. "Is it because he's gone that I'll never be able to compare?"

Briony sighed, "Ferdinand, you've

helped me a lot over the years. I

don't want things to get ugly

between us. Let's clear the air today. From now on, whenever we see

each other, let's just be friends-like before. Okay?"