"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?"

"Haven't told her yet." James tried to sound casual. "I'll wait a few days. I'm heading back after the holidays."

Stewart nodded. "Alright."

headed

ease, deftly handling every task. Stewart, on the other hand, struggled. When it came

stared, puzzled, at her father's unmoving

froze for

expected their daughter

said lightly, not trying

be scared. "Isn't that kind

Nina blinked. "Why is

her a gentle smile. "I got hurt, so they had to make me a new

to his sister, "Daddy hurt his finger when he

it, so now it's

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

smiled softly. "Not anymore, sweetheart. You don't have

he saved Mario!" Nina

deepened.

eyes lingering on that artificial finger. She pressed her

lunch, Stewart got a call-he needed to step

busy lately, more

Briony took the kids upstairs for their afternoon nap. Her body still hadn't fully recovered,

dusk had already fallen. Out in the city, the first pops of fireworks echoed

alive with

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