The Cherished Wife

Peter had spent his life accustomed to solitude, embracing cold independence. However, from the moment he met Tania, he could not imagine being apart from her. Leaving her was never an option. Nancy frowned. "So, you're here to ask me to bring Tania back?"

As a daughter raised in the Naylor family, Nancy was sharp and perceptive. She did not miss much.

Peter nodded. "It's been three years. I've been searching for Tania all this while, but she won't see me. Even with all the connections I've used, I haven't been able to find her. You're her mother. Surely, you..." "Have you ever considered that maybe Tania doesn't want to be found?" Nancy's voice was calm but piercing.

Peter's hand trembled slightly, and a flicker of discomfort crossed his gaze.

This man, who had always carried himself with pride and certainty, now faced a dilemma for which he had no answer to and no clear path forward.

Throughout his 30-plus years, Peter had always lived with the belief that he could achieve anything through effort. Failure or rejection had never seemed real.

managed

it takes. There's no one else for me. Even if I can't have her, I'll still wait." His words hung in the air,

would resent someone who had hurt their child. In the eyes of many, it looked as though Peter

"If you truly don't know where Tania is, I won't bother you

out a heavy sigh. "Why must it be Tania? You have a bright future ahead of you. You could

It's only her. I've been waiting for her for this long, and I'll wait until I can't anymore." Peter's voice was

hands as she watched him walk away, her heart heavy

steam swirled gently from the kettle, the sound of boiling water adding a touch of warmth

lid of the kettle, gazing at the bubbling water. It was a long while before she looked away.