"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."

the decorations were finished, Stewart and James headed to the kitchen to help with

ease, deftly handling every task. Stewart, on the other hand, struggled. When it came time to knead the dough, the stiffness in his left and right pinky fingers

father's unmoving

face froze for

their daughter to

not trying to hide the

she wouldn't be scared.

Nina blinked. "Why is your finger fake,

got hurt, so they had to make me a

his sister, "Daddy hurt his finger when he

that, they couldn't save it, so now it's a

gaze full of sympathy as she looked at Stewart.

sweetheart. You don't

Mario!" Nina declared, her

smile deepened. "Thank

artificial finger. She pressed her lips together, sighing

got a call-he needed to step out for

been busy lately,

the kids upstairs for their afternoon nap. Her body

the city, the first pops of fireworks echoed

every home was alive with celebration, the sounds of fireworks and laughter

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