Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Little Mario scrunched his nose and shook his head. "No," he declared, with a look of determination that could have rivaled someone pledging allegiance.

Stewart studied his small face for a moment, then looked away and continued eating.

Garry glanced at Stewart, but seeing his indifference, let it go and turned his attention back to his own plate.

"What does 'physiological aversion' mean?" Little Nina asked, swallowing a bite of potatoes, her eyes wide with curiosity.

James smiled and explained, "Well, it just means that while we think potatoes taste good, when Little Mario eats them, they probably taste completely different to him."

"Huh?" Little Nina blinked at him. "So what do they taste like to Little Mario?"

James considered this. "Maybe sour? Bitter? Or like... a wet mop? Maybe like something from a sewer?"

Stewart, who had been eating with perfect composure, paused mid-chew.

Little Mario pointed at the potatoes and declared, "Gross."

Stewart's movements stilled, his eyes unreadable.

"Potatoes are so tasty! How come you think they're gross?" Little Nina shook her head with genuine sympathy. "Poor Little Mario!"

"It's just how he's wired. But really, Little Mario isn't picky about much else," Carol said, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Briony grabbed a few green beans, snipped them into bite-sized pieces, and placed them in Little Mario's bowl. "If you don't like the potatoes, that's fine. Green veggies are full of vitamins-eat up."

"Th-thank you!" Little Mario's eyes sparkled as he looked up at her.

Briony was quietly pleased to see how much more comfortable he was talking to people now.

bit frail, and with only adults around, he'd

"Yesterday, when you took Little Mario

"Dr. Ellsworth said Little Mario's weak constitution is congenital. He suggested we help him with a better diet and some gentle massage therapy

Ellsworth is really good at that," Briony

raised an eyebrow. "Is he,

continued, "When Little Nina was a baby, her immune system was awful. She hardly put on any weight and was always sick. She's allergic to

at Little Nina.

was

about him, so I went to see him in the next town over. After his treatment, Little Nina gradually got better.

her now—she eats with such gusto

at

glancing unconsciously at

thoroughly focused on her meal-one bite of

Carney chuckled, "Our

is a chatterbox. The only

she's eating

at the table burst into

heard them and looked up, blinking innocently.

her daughter's hair, her eyes crinkling with affection. "We just love watching

beans and frowned, her

Everyone stifled a laugh.

all you want. No matter how many people stare,

erupted

whole atmosphere at lunch felt

at Little Nina, so healthy and cheerful, and couldn't help but feel

finally worked up the courage to persuade Garry to take Briony's advice and