"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?"

James tried to sound casual. "I'll wait a few

Stewart nodded. "Alright."

and James headed to

struggled. When it came time to knead the dough, the stiffness

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

froze

their daughter to

said lightly, not trying to hide the truth but softening it so she

is your

a gentle smile. "I got hurt, so

finger when he was saving me. After that, they

of sympathy as she looked

anymore, sweetheart. You don't have to

like this because he saved Mario!" Nina declared, her voice

deepened. "Thank

watched him, her eyes lingering on that artificial finger. She pressed her lips together, sighing

lunch, Stewart got a call-he needed

lately, more

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