Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"Sorry, I can't help you." Lorna shrugged, got up, and headed back inside.

In the kitchen, James was busy at the stove, cooking dinner.

The burner was turned up high, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

Cloudcrest City hovered in the low seventies during the day, but the mornings and evenings were chilly.noveldrama

Lorna paused at the doorway, leaning against the frame with her arms crossed, quietly watching the man's broad back as he bustled around.

The countertop was set a bit low for a guy his height, making chopping and washing vegetables a strain on his back.

She finally stepped in. "I took a walk around the old town just now. Didn't see anyone suspicious."

"That's good," James replied, his tone clipped.

He turned off the burner, poured the finished soup into a bowl, and picked it up.

As he turned around, he found Lorna watching him, her gaze openly appreciative, a faint smile on her lips.

"Mr. Delaney, you make the perfect husband. What kind of extraordinary woman could ever measure up to you?"

"I'd rather join the priesthood than ever get involved with you," James replied, as curt as ever.

Lorna just snorted, already used to his coldness.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Two pieces of news-one good, one bad. Which do you want first?"

James frowned. "Can't you just tell me?"

"Briony managed to escape from Ferdinand."

James froze for a second, then pressed her, "And the bad news?"

"When they crossed into Astara's airspace, they ran into severe weather. Now, they're missing."

His face went rigid. "What do you mean?"

Lorna's expression turned serious. "I mean, as of now, both Blair and Briony- well, their fate is uncertain."

...

When Briony woke, her head throbbed so badly she thought it might split open. She opened her eyes, but everything was still pitch black.

Any hope she'd held onto vanished.

It really had happened-she was blind.

It must have been the drugs Ferdinand forced her to take.

With her sight gone, her other senses seemed to have sharpened. She Could make out the sound of waves and a faint salty tang in the air. śwnovel

They must be by the sea.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Briony immediately pushed herself upright. "Blair?"

The man hurried over as soon as he saw she was awake. "Ms. Kensington, I'm here."

The familiar sound of his voice made her tense shoulders relax a little.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"We're on a remote island in Astara-locals call it Goldfish Isle."

Briony nodded, then asked, "How long was I out?"

"Three days," Blair replied. "You

blacked out after you fell into those Vice we made it to the island,

sea.

you

down with a high fever. It

finally broke yesterday afternoon."

Briony's brow furrowed. "And the pilot who was with us-is he alright?"

"Don't worry. They're well-trained. They made it."

Briony let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

That night had been chaos, and with her blindness, she had been completely lost. It was Blair Mon who'd put a life jacket on her and carried her out of the plane.

She remembered and asked, "What about you? Were you hurt?"

Blair looked at her, noticing the genuine concern in her eyes. He smiled, a rare, contented look. "I'm fine."

Briony fell quiet.

Blair walked over to her bedside and waved a hand in front of her face. "Still can't see anything?"

Briony nodded.

"Does it hurt?"

"No," she answered. "It's just completely dark, but otherwise, I feel okay."

Blair's tone grew grave. "It must be those drugs Ferdinand gave you."

Briony didn't disagree. "When do you think we'll get back to Northborough?"

"We'll have to stay here a few more days," Blair told her. "Mr. Seven's sending people to get us."

Until Mr. Seven found them, there was always the risk that Ferdinand's men would find this island first...