"Whatever happens, always respect her."

To love her means to respect her.

That's how James understood love.

Stewart gazed at James, his eyes unwavering. For the first time, he found himself feeling genuine respect and even admiration for James.

From the moment James met Briony, he'd stayed by her side-as a friend, as family, in every way that mattered.

He'd done so well, in fact, that Stewart felt a sting of inadequacy by comparison.

The room was empty except for the distant, joyful squeals of the children playing in the dining room and the gentle voice of a woman guiding them.

Lowering his voice, Stewart asked, "Are you leaving soon?"

James dropped his gaze, a bitter smile flickering across his lips. "Yeah. I'm the only son left in the Delaney family, and I'm at the age where people expect me to settle down. My grandfather's health isn't great, and he wants to see me get married, maybe have kids."

Stewart fell silent at that. As someone with a failed marriage behind him, he didn't feel he had much right to comment on the subject.

"Does Bryn know?"

to sound casual. "I'll wait a few days. I'm

Stewart nodded. "Alright."

James headed to the

practiced ease, deftly handling every task. Stewart, on the other hand, struggled. When it came time to knead the dough, the stiffness in his

her father's unmoving

face froze

their daughter

isn't real," Stewart said lightly, not trying to hide the truth but softening it so she wouldn't be

"Why is your finger fake,

her a gentle smile. "I got hurt, so they had to make me

hurt his finger when he was saving me. After that, they couldn't save

sympathy as she looked at Stewart. "Does it hurt,

"Not anymore, sweetheart. You don't have

this because he saved Mario!" Nina declared, her voice bright. "Daddy's super brave and

deepened. "Thank

on that artificial finger. She pressed her lips together,

call-he needed to

lately,

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