Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

"You're incredibly talented. With your family background, you could easily find an excellent mentor."

Vernon was only halfway through his sketch when Briony's voice cut through the quiet. He paused, lifted his head, and met her gaze.

Briony's expression was frosty. "My gallery won't be representing you. You should leave."

Vernon set his pencil down, staring at her. "Is it because Galen married my mom? Is that why you don't like me?"

"That's right." Briony looked at this boy whose mind seemed far older than his eight years and kept her voice impassive. "Because of Xenia Cooper, and because of Stewart. I want nothing to do with anyone or anything connected to them."

A flicker of panic crossed Vernon's face. He frowned, scrambling to explain, "Galen really cares about you. He and my mom are just business partners—they don't even live together."

Briony only gave a cold, dismissive smile. "I don't care. You're a child, and I'd rather not be cruel to you, but please don't come here again."

Vernon stared at her, unwilling to give up.

Briony broke eye contact and turned to Arnold. "I'm leaving now. If he still refuses to go, call the police."

Arnold nodded. "Understood."

Without another word, Briony headed straight for the exit.noveldrama

Behind her, Vernon hurried to catch up, refusing to let things end there.

She stepped into the elevator, and he slipped in right after her.

Briony felt a wave of exasperation-why was this kid so relentless?

She glanced down at him, brow furrowed. "Wasn't I clear enough?"

Vernon looked up, and as if fearing she'd throw him out, said coolly, "My driver's waiting for me downstairs."

At that, Briony fell silent.

Vernon, however, showed no sign of letting her be.

"Ms. Kensington?"

Briony fixed her gaze on the elevator wall, making it obvious she had no intention of indulging him.

Unbothered by her chilliness,

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Vernon's carefully composed air slipped a little as he spoke anyway. "Galen told me I should be polite to I ever met you."

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Briony remained distant. "Thank you, but honestly, I'd prefer if you just acted like you didn't see me at all."

"Galen says you're really nice. Gentle with people." Vernon frowned, lowering his voice to a mutter, "But so far, you just seem... cold."

Briony gave a sharp, indifferent smile.

As if she cared what he thought.

Just then, the elevator jerked violently.

A heartbeat later, there was a loud metallic bang—the elevator shuddered and came to a dead stop.

Inside, darkness swallowed them.

At that moment, only Briony and Vernon were in the elevator.

Before it malfunctioned, the display had shown the third floor. They were probably

stuck between the second and third floors now.

Briony pulled out her phone. Just one bar of signal-at least it wasn't completely dead. She tried calling Arnold, it took several attempts, her voice breaking up, and she couldn't be sure if he understood her at all. The call dropped.

Briony braced herself against the handrail, switched on her phone's flashlight.

In the corner, Vernon had curled up, arms locked around his head.

She frowned, calling out, "Vernon?"

No answer.

After a moment's hesitation, she walked over, holding her phone out as a makeshift lantern.

"Vernon, are you alright—"

"Mom, don't leave me! Please, don't leave me alone- I'm scared, I'm scared of the dark, please—”

Briony had barely crouched down when Vernon suddenly lunged at her, clinging to her in a desperate hug.

Her phone tumbled from her grasp, the flashlight beam spinning down and plunging the elevator back into darkness.

Vernon shook uncontrollably, his sobs breaking apart. "I'll be

Pl, just don't lock me y

please-It's so dark, I'm

"