Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

"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?"

told her yet." James tried to sound casual. "I'll wait a

Stewart nodded. "Alright."

decorations were finished, Stewart and James headed

with practiced ease, deftly handling every task. Stewart, on the other hand, struggled. When it came time to knead the dough, the stiffness in his left and right pinky fingers became

stared, puzzled, at her father's unmoving finger. “Daddy, why doesn't

froze

their daughter

not trying to hide the truth but softening it so

is your finger

offered her a gentle smile. "I got hurt, so they had

explained to his sister, "Daddy hurt his finger when he was saving me. After

her gaze full of sympathy as she looked

sweetheart. You don't have

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

deepened. "Thank

on that artificial finger. She pressed

call-he needed to step out for

lately,