"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 few days.

Stewart nodded. "Alright."

and James headed to the kitchen to help with

other hand, struggled. When it came time

unmoving finger. “Daddy, why doesn't

froze for a

hadn't expected their daughter to notice,

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

Nina blinked. "Why is your

smile. "I got hurt, so they

to his sister, "Daddy hurt his finger when he

widened, her gaze full of sympathy as she looked at Stewart.

anymore, sweetheart. You don't

because he saved Mario!" Nina declared,

smile deepened.

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

got a call-he needed to step out for

lately, more than

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