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."

mingling with what he considered unsavory characters; his

"Of course, Dad. I'll make

caught her gaze, his

Hamilton off and returning to Phillip's apartment, Tina retreated to her room to chat on the phone with her

More like he was mocking me,"

Stonebridge, it was true she hadn't been home

Phillip had

reach out either.

SW

had shown even a hint of interest, she might not feel so

faux engagement,"

into

much it; he was clearly speaking well of you," her friend

Tina sighed, lying back and kicking her feet up, "He's

how to

be my guest, come and take him off my hands,"