Hold My Tear, I’m Getting My Wife Back!

In a restaurant where the ambiance was bathed in a soft glow, pristine white tablecloths covered the tables, with gleaming silverware and spotless glasses reflecting the dim light.

The waiter, with practiced ease, poured the aged red wine into a long-stemmed glass. Under her father's watchful eye, Tina picked up the glass and took a sip, hoping to hide her unease behind the elegant curve of the glass.

To her right, Phillip, dressed sharply in a suit, spoke up in her defense, "I mentioned I had to work late today before I left this morning. She was just trying not to disturb me, hence the fib."

Hamilton's expression softened slightly. "She hasn't been too much trouble staying with you, I hope?"

Tina thought, "What trouble could I possibly cause?"

If she had known her father had planned to conduct this surprise inspection, she would have stayed home, playing the role of the demure and dutiful fiancée.

"She's quite independent, hardly any trouble at all. She's settled in well here and made a bunch of new friends," Phillip said, prompting Tina to glance at him. His face, usually devoid of any readable emotion, remained impassive, betraying no hint of his thoughts.

It must be sarcasm, Tina thought.

Her independence stretched to not coming home until past midnight, not to mention barely speaking to him.

Hamilton nodded, satisfied, then launched into his usual spiel about traditional roles, "Stonebridge is a great place; it's good you're making friends here. Phillip's busy with work; you need to be understanding and supportive, a true partner. A woman should be supportive of her man."

never liked Tina mingling with what he considered unsavory characters; his current "approval"

managed a sweet, obedient smile, "Of course, Dad. I'll make sure to be

her gaze,

room to chat on the phone with her best friend. Her friend remarked, "Sounds like he was quite the gentleman, covering for

More like he was mocking me,"

arriving in Stonebridge, it was true she hadn't been

had made

reach out either.

SW

a hint of interest, she might not feel so disconnected

some faux engagement," she

into

was clearly speaking well of you," her friend countered, then teased, "He looks handsome in his photos. What's he like in

kicking her feet up, "He's

mature man know how to treat a woman

my guest, come and take him