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.

more likely that he'd been born a bit frail, and with only adults around, he'd been so carefully looked after that he never really felt the need to express himself. Over time, that had just slowed his

in mind, Briony turned to Garry. "Yesterday, when you took Little Mario to see Dr. Ellsworth, what

Mario's weak constitution is congenital. He suggested we help him with a better diet and

is really good at that,"

eyebrow. "Is he,

was a baby, her immune system was awful. She hardly put on any weight and was always sick. She's allergic to a lot of things-feeding

at Little Nina. "Really? You'd

Little Nina was

me about him, so I went to see him in the next town over. After his treatment, Little Nina gradually got better. Now that her digestion's improved, she absorbs

chimed in, smiling. "Just look at her now—she eats with such gusto and

looked at

glancing unconsciously at

thoroughly focused on her

Carney chuckled, "Our

chatterbox. The only time she

she's eating

adults at the

looked up, blinking innocently. "Why are you

crinkling with affection. "We just

green beans and frowned, her face serious. "How does

Everyone stifled a laugh.

and declared, "Watch all you want. No matter how many

erupted in

Little Nina, the whole atmosphere at

healthy and cheerful, and couldn't

up the courage to persuade Garry to take Briony's advice and bring Little Mario to