Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

Chapter 315

Little Mario scrunched his nose and shook his head. "No," he declared, with a look of determination that could have rivaled someone pledging allegiance.

Stewart studied his small face for a moment, then looked away and continued eating.

Garry glanced at Stewart, but seeing his indifference, let it go and turned his attention back to his own plate.

"What does 'physiological aversion' mean?" Little Nina asked, swallowing a bite of potatoes, her eyes wide with curiosity.

James smiled and explained, "Well, it just means that while we think potatoes taste good, when Little Mario eats them, they probably taste completely different to him."

"Huh?" Little Nina blinked at him. "So what do they taste like to Little Mario?"

James considered this. "Maybe sour? Bitter? Or like... a wet mop? Maybe like something from a sewer?"

Stewart, who had been eating with perfect composure, paused mid-chew.

Little Mario pointed at the potatoes and declared, "Gross."

Stewart's movements stilled, his eyes unreadable.

"Potatoes are so tasty! How come you think they're gross?" Little Nina shook her head with genuine sympathy. "Poor Little Mario!"

"It's just how he's wired. But really, Little Mario isn't picky about much else," Carol said, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Briony grabbed a few green beans, snipped them into bite-sized pieces, and placed them in Little Mario's bowl. "If you don't like the potatoes, that's fine. Green veggies are full of vitamins-eat up."

"Th-thank you!" Little Mario's eyes sparkled as he looked up at her.

Briony was quietly pleased to see how much more comfortable he was talking to people now.

for a while, and honestly, she wasn't convinced he was autistic. It seemed more likely that he'd been born a bit frail, and with only adults around,

"Yesterday, when you took Little Mario to see Dr. Ellsworth, what

said Little Mario's weak constitution is congenital. He suggested we help him with a better diet and some gentle massage

really good

eyebrow. "Is he,

was a baby, her immune system was awful. She hardly put on any weight and was always sick. She's allergic to a lot of things-feeding her was a

Nina. "Really? You'd never guess

was a

about him, so I went to see him in the next town over. After his treatment, Little Nina gradually got better. Now that her digestion's improved, she absorbs everything, and her resistance is way

Gwendolyn White chimed in, smiling. "Just look at her

looked at Little

stopped eating, glancing unconsciously at his

her meal-one bite of food, then another, completely

Carney chuckled, "Our

a chatterbox. The only time

when she's eating

at the table burst

them and looked up, blinking innocently. "Why are you

her eyes crinkling with affection. "We just love watching

and frowned, her face serious. "How does

Everyone stifled a laugh.

"Watch all you want. No matter how many people stare, it won't

table erupted

Little Nina, the whole atmosphere

Nina, so healthy and cheerful, and

to take Briony's advice

was open-minded, so he and Carol set out with Little