Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"Bone marrow transplant..."

Ferdinand's gaze was somber as he stared at Briony lying in the hospital bed. “I understand. You can leave us," he said softly.

The foreign doctor nodded, then quietly slipped out of the room.

Ferdinand sat down at Briony's bedside and reached out to feel her forehead.

Still running a slight fever.

Briony frowned, her eyelids heavy as she struggled to open them.

"You're awake. Do you want some water?"

"Yes, please."

He poured her a glass and helped her drink through a straw.

The water made Briony feel a little more alert. She looked up at Ferdinand, her voice tentative. "I thought I heard you telling the doctor you wanted to take me to Switzerland?"

Ferdinand set the glass on the nightstand. "That's right. My father invested in a research institute there. They might be able to develop a cure for you."

Her breath caught.

So it wasn't a dream-Ferdinand really did intend to take her to Switzerland. Fred Wentworth's institute. Could they really come up with a cure for leukemia?

If they could, why would Fred have fought so hard to reclaim The Wentworth Group?

That meant... Ferdinand wanted to turn her into the next Malvina Ellsworth.

A chill crept down Briony's spine.

Now, tomorrow's wedding was more crucial than ever.

No matter what, she had to stall Ferdinand. She had to make sure Stewart's plan succeeded.

She could die-but she would never let herself become a lab rat.

But until then, she had to keep up the act.

"I don't want to go to Switzerland." Briony's gaze was steady as she looked at Ferdinand. "I heard Dr. Jaime just now. The best treatment for my condition is a bone marrow transplant, but the match rate is too low. Ferdinand, I don't want to end up like your mother, being used as a test subject. Please, just let me go with dignity."

"Don't talk like that, Bryn." Ferdinand's hand moved gently across her cheek. "If you die, you won't be the only one."

Briony glared at him.

Another threat.

"Ferdinand, have you forgotten why you hated Fred in the first place? You couldn't bear what he did to your mother-turning her into a guine@pig. And now you want to drag me to his institute and do th same to me? I won't let you." d rather die than live in pain like that. If you force me, I'll hate you until my last breath...and beyond."

Her voice was steely, her resolve clear.

Ferdinand saw she meant every word. He exhaled quietly. "Wouldn't you hate me

either way, even if I didn't take you to Switzerland?"

Briony's glare only deepened. She refused to answer.

"Tomorrow, you'll become Mrs. Ellsworth," Ferdinand said, his tone oddly gentle.

"Yet the way you look at me is still full of resentment."

"Did you really expect me to fall in love with my captor?" Briony's voice was as cold as ice. "You know I never chose to stay by your side. You've always known that."

"I know." Ferdinand drew back his hand and took out his phone. He pulled up a photo from his gallery and handed it to her.

"Take a look at this, Bryn."

Briony's eyes dropped to the screen.

A surgical consent form-for egg retrieval.

Her own name listed as the patient.

Her eyes widened as she looked up at Ferdinand, stunned. "What is this

supposed to mean?"

"Mary's baby... it's ours."

Briony stared at him in disbelief.noveldrama

Absurd. Impossible.

"Do you really think I'll believe you just because you show me some paperwork

and say a few words?"

"Think back," Ferdinand replied,

slipping his phone away. He

watched her closely, a faint smile on

his lips. “When you were in the

hospital at Havenport the day you

woke up

Havenport... the hospital...

Briony frowned, trying to remember.

"If you don't believe me, I can have Mary come in and explain it to you herself.”

Briony pressed her hands to her head, reeling. She couldn't believe a word of this.

Ferdinand had lost his mind.

How could he-

Ferdinand called Mary into the room.

Mary hadn't expected Ferdinand to

bring this up to Briony the day before the wedding. Standing at the

foot of the bed, she looked at Briony who was clutching her head, terror etched on her face-and felt a tangled surge of emotions.