The officiant stood at the altar, beaming kindly at the couple before him. “Congratulations to you both on joining your lives together on such a beautiful day…”
Briony barely registered the words. Her mind was miles away.
She didn’t snap back to reality until Ferdinand, beside her, said, “I do.”
“…And now, the bride. Do you take this man?”
A large hand gripped her shoulder, turning her gently to face Ferdinand.
He reached up and lifted the white veil from her hair.
Their eyes met—Ferdinand’s gaze was unwavering, filled with devotion.
“Bryn, will you grow old with me? Will you stand by my side, for better or worse, for the rest of our lives?”
Briony’s eyelashes fluttered.
She tightened her grip on the bouquet, forcing the words out in a barely audible voice. “I do.”
Ferdinand’s eyes lit up, sharp joy flickering across his face.
It was an unmistakable, visceral happiness.
Mary approached, carrying the wedding rings.
Ferdinand took a ring and gently reached for Briony’s right hand.
Slowly, he slid the band onto her slender finger—
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Briony jerked her hand away. The ring slipped, tumbling to the floor and rolling into a corner—
“Mr. Ellsworth! We’ve been ambushed—I’ll get you out the back!”
Gifford burst in, gun drawn, face grim.
In a flash, Ferdinand yanked Briony into his arms and barked at Gifford, “Protect Mary!”
“Yes, sir!”
The chapel doors crashed open and a team of armed men stormed in.
Ferdinand grabbed Briony, pulling her toward the rear exit.
Behind them, Gifford hustled Mary after.
Ferdinand had come prepared; smoke filled the chapel, gunfire erupted around them.
He took her wrist, checking her pulse.
The signs weren’t good—the pregnancy was at risk.
“Gifford! My medical kit.”
This child was everything to him; Ferdinand wouldn’t allow anything to happen.
One hand on the wheel, Gifford reached for the kit and tossed it to Ferdinand.
The reception manor was halfway up the mountain. The main road was surely blocked—they’d have to take the backroads.
Even with Gifford’s skill behind the wheel, the rocky path jostled the SUV violently. There was no way Ferdinand could perform acupuncture here.
He hesitated, medical kit in hand.
Suddenly, Mary doubled over, crying out, “It hurts! Ferdinand, am I losing the baby?”
Ferdinand’s pulse jumped.
Briony watched, her voice calm but firm. “The child is innocent, Ferdinand. Save the baby.”
Ferdinand whipped his head toward her, eyes wide with surprise—and something else.
“Bryn, you want me to save him? You still care about this child, don’t you?”
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