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?"

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

Stewart nodded. "Alright."

the decorations were finished, Stewart and James headed to the kitchen to help with

When it came time to knead the dough, the stiffness in his left and right pinky fingers

stared, puzzled, at her father's unmoving finger. “Daddy,

face froze for

hadn't expected their daughter to

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

is your finger fake,

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

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

widened, her gaze full of sympathy

sweetheart. You don't have

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

smile deepened.

her eyes lingering on that artificial finger.

a call-he needed to

busy lately, more