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.

and honestly, she wasn't convinced he was autistic. It seemed more likely that he'd been born a bit frail, and with

mind, Briony turned to Garry. "Yesterday, when you took Little

weak constitution is congenital. He suggested we help

is really good at

raised an eyebrow. "Is

She hardly put on any weight and was always sick. She's allergic to a

glanced at Little Nina. "Really? You'd never

Nina was a ball

Ellsworth. Someone told 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 everything, and her resistance is way

look at her now—she eats with such gusto and looks

looked at Little Nina

stopped eating, glancing unconsciously at

was thoroughly focused on her meal-one bite of food, then another, completely

Carney chuckled, "Our

is a chatterbox. The only time

she's eating

adults at the

looked up, blinking innocently. "Why are you

crinkling with affection. "We just

me eat?" Little Nina swallowed a mouthful of green beans and frowned, her face serious. "How

Everyone stifled a laugh.

you want. No matter

table erupted

Nina, the whole

at Little Nina, so healthy and cheerful, and couldn't

finally worked up the courage to persuade Garry to take Briony's advice and bring Little Mario to see Dr.