Regretting the Wife He Threw Away

James went to handle the hospital admission, leaving Cedric Clarke to escort Briony and her daughter to the room.

It was a private room-Cedric had already spoken to the head nurse, asking her team to keep a close eye on them over the next few days.

Little Nina, feeling miserable and feverish, clung to her mom and refused to settle down.

Her fever left her dazed, and when she heard the nurse coming in with a needle, she burst into tears, kicking up a fuss and refusing to cooperate no matter what anyone said.

Briony tried everything to calm her, but nothing worked. James arrived, but he didn't fare any better.

"I don't want a shot, I don't want a shot!" Little Nina sobbed, burying her face into Briony's chest.

"You need the shot to get better, sweetheart," Briony coaxed gently. "The nurse here is really good, it won't hurt.”

"No!" Nina wailed, clutching her mother's shirt with both hands and refusing to let go. "Shots hurt so much!"

James tried a different tactic. "How about this-when you get your shot, you can hold my hand and squeeze as hard as you want. If it hurts, you can even bite me. That way, I'll take the pain for you, okay?"

"You're lying!" Nina sniffled, her eyes red. "I want Daddy. Mommy, call Daddy. I want Daddy to stay with me..."

Briony cradled her daughter, utterly at a loss.

Blair arrived at the doorway just as Little Nina's cries split the air. She was howling

for her father, refusing the injection unless he was there.

He paused at the threshold, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

Inside, Briony and James took turns trying to soothe the distraught girl.

Finally, the nurse spoke up, looking apologetic. "Maybe one of you should justnoveldrama

hold her still, and I'll be as quick as I can?"

At that, Blair couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped into the room.

"Ms. Kensington."

Briony looked up in surprise. "Blair? What are you doing here?"

He met her eyes. "I just wanted to check if you needed any help."

"There's nothing urgent right now. You're free to go about your day," she replied.

Blair nodded. "Alright. I'll be on my way then."

"Okay," Briony answered, her tone polite but distracted.

Blair glanced at Little Nina, still clinging to her mother, then turned to leave. After two steps, he paused.

Briony watched him, curious.

He turned back and met her gaze. She raised an eyebrow. "Is there something else?"

Blair cleared his throat. "I have a

nephew about the same age as Nina. He used to be terrified of shots too, but my brother found a trick that helped."

Briony's attention sharpened. "What trick?"

"Teach her to count," Blair said quietly. "Tell her that if she counts to five, the pain will be gone."

Briony was skeptical, but she'd already exhausted every other option. She decided to give it a try.

To everyone's astonishment, it worked.

By the time Nina reached three, she

blinked in surprise, the tears drying on her cheeks. "It doesn't hurt

Gel

anymore! Mr. Monroe, I only had to count to three, not even five!"

Blair smiled, his eyes softening with a warmth he rarely let show. "That's impressive. My nephew always has to count all the way to five before he feels better."

"See?" Nina's tiny voice was suddenly proud, the fear forgotten. "Daddy always says I'm really brave!"

Blair swallowed, his voice husky as he nodded. "You're incredibly brave."

Briony watched Blair, her eyes lingering thoughtfully on him.