Regretting the Wife He Threw Away novel Chapter 574

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?

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.”