Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"Ferdinand, don't waste your time on me. You deserve someone better. Mary's completely devoted to you-why not give her a chance?"

Ferdinand lifted his gaze, eyes resting on her.

"You're trying to set me up with Mary?"

"I'm just being honest with you."

"I see." Ferdinand smiled faintly. "Well, I should get going."

After he left, Briony retreated to the study to work.

Little Nina and little Mario were both on winter break, no preschool for now.

The studio was closed for the holidays too, so Briony brought Lucky back to Skybreeze Retreat.

Lucky was a grown dog now, but every day he dutifully played with the young lord and lady, like an old nanny keeping them entertained.

Little Nina was endlessly creative-one day dressing Lucky in doll clothes, the next day braiding his fur. Lucky suffered through it, tongue lolling in mock cheerfulness.

But Little Nina treated Lucky just like family.

That afternoon, Ferdinand had dropped off a batch of homemade fruit candies. Little Nina took one and offered it to Lucky.

Lucky gave it a sniff, barked twice, and shook his head.

"These are Mr. Ellsworth's special candies for kids! If you eat one, you'll have a great appetite for dinner!" Nina insisted.

Lucky eyed the bag in her hand, barked again, still refusing.

"Hmph, you silly thing!" Nina pouted. "If you don't want it, fine! Little Mario and I will eat them all ourselves!"

She popped the candy towards her mouth, but before she could taste it, Lucky suddenly lunged at her.

"Ah!"

Nina tumbled to the floor, and the candy rolled away.

Lucky quickly snatched it up, trotted over to the trash can, pressed the lid open with his paw, and tossed the candy inside.

"Lucky!"

Little Mario, sitting on the floor

nursing his sore bottom, yelled, "Bad

dog! If you didn't want it, you could've just said so! Now no one gets any! You're wasting food-I ought to spank your butt!"

He reached for his sister to hold her back. "No hitting."

"But Lucky wasted Mr. Ellsworth's special candy! It takes forever to make just a little bag!" Little Nina protested.

Just as she finished, Lucky bounded back toward her-

"Ouch!"

Once again, Nina was knocked over, and the whole bag of candy hit the floor.

Lucky grabbed the bag in his mouth and dashed out the door.

"Lucky!" Nina scrambled up and chased after him, shouting, "You little rascal! Bring back my candy!"

Around and around they went in the garden, girl chasing dog in endless circles, while little Mario tried and failed to calm them down.

In the kitchen, Carol and Marlene were making dumplings when they heard the commotion and hurried outside.

Marlene took one look at Nina racing after Lucky and laughed, half exasperated. "Oh my, what's gotten into you, darling? Weren't you just playing nicely with Lucky? Now" you're chasing him around the yard?"

Carol shook her head and started toward Nina to calm her down, but just then Briony appeared at the stairs, cane in hand.

"What's going on?"noveldrama

She had barely reached the front door when Lucky spotted her and ran right over.

He dropped the bag of candy at

eveet, barked twice, then

obediently in front of her, tong

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out,

looking up with wide, es

eyes.