Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 319

Briony stared blankly at her mother, uncertain she'd heard her right.

What was her mother saying?

Lauren had stolen her husband?

Julia's eyes drifted closed, tears slipping from the corners.

She kept murmuring, voice trembling, "Bryn, I'm sorry... I've failed you. I've failed you, sweetheart..."

Briony knelt beside her and gently wiped away her mother's tears.

Her own eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice catching. "Mom, I'm here. Don't worry, I promise—we'll be okay. Things will get better from now on."

Julia's face twisted with pain. "Bryn, I'm so angry. My whole life, I've been a failure. Why did Lauren have to be my daughter? Why her... why..."

Her words faded to nothing, exhaustion overtaking her.

Briony watched her mother drift into sleep, silent tears streaming down her face.

The gray streaks in Julia's hair, the deep lines at the corners of her eyes—five years in prison, four years missing. Nine years had ground her down, leaving her looking decades older than her forty-something years. Now, she looked closer to seventy than forty.

All her life, Julia had known nothing but suffering.

Briony squeezed her mother's hand. "Rest now, Mom. From here on, I'll be by your side. I won't let you suffer anymore."

Ferdinand and Gina stood at the foot of the bed, their faces heavy with sorrow.

Out in the hallway, little Nina had been watching quietly for some time. The adults were so focused on Julia, they hadn't even noticed her.

Nina tiptoed into the room.

"Mommy...?"

Briony started, hastily wiping her face and taking a deep breath before turning around.

Nina's big eyes were rimmed with red as she gazed up at her mother, searching her face.

Regret twisted in Briony's heart. She'd completely forgotten her daughter was there—she didn't even know if Julia's episode had frightened her.

"Nina, don't be afraid. Grandma's just sick, that's all."

"I'm not scared," Nina said softly. She reached out her tiny hand and gently touched Briony's cheek. "Mommy, did you cry?"

Briony pressed her lips together, forcing a smile. "No, sweetheart."

Nina cocked her head. "It's okay to cry, Mommy. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

Briony's throat tightened, caught between laughter and tears at her daughter's wisdom. "Mommy's just sad for Grandma, that's all."

Nina wrapped her arms around Briony's neck, patting her back with her little hand.