Lost Me Gained Regret

Mark seemed oblivious to any undercurrent in the conversation or perhaps chose not to delve deeper. With a gentle smile, he said, "No worries. Why don't you all wash up?

Dinner's almost ready."

Mark was quite the chef. The table was laden with dishes that were a feast for the senses, making everyone's mouth water.

Steven and Christine couldn't stop singing his praises.

I couldn't help but join in, "Mark, your cooking skills are totally amazing!"

"Give it a try, see if you like it," Mark encouraged as he brought out the last two dishes, placing a plate of spicy shrimp in front of me with a warm smile. "You should like this one."

I was surprised.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Aside from Christine, everyone assumed my taste was similar to Bryant's-very mild. But before I could speak up, Bryant's cool voice interjected, "She can't handle spicy food. You might have been close in college, but you clearly don't know her taste..."

"Mr. Ferguson," Christine was quick to correct him, her tone playful despite the seriousness of her words, "after all this time together, where has your attention been? Jane's favorite is spicy food, the hotter the better!"

It was a sobering reminder.

Indeed, where had his attention been?

I had always adapted to his preferences, yet he never took the time to understa Bryant frowned slightly, a trace of confusion in his eyes. "You like spicy?" "Yes."

As we spoke, I peeled a shrimp and ate it deliberately, maintaining eye contact with his beautiful, deep-set eyes as I earnestly replied, "Bryant, I don't like bland food; it's just not satisfying."

Bryant's demeanor darkened, and the atmosphere turned even more awkward.

I knew it wasn't the right moment for such a conversation.

Bryant was not known for his patience, and this only served to spoil what was otherwise a lovely meal.

But I had held my tongue for three years. Was there ever going to be a "right" time? Could i never speak my truth?

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Unexpectedly, Bryant, usually so willful, lowered his proud head in front of us.

"From now on, we'll make meals that you like," he said.

I was speechless, my heart swelling with a bittersweet ache.

It seemed he was willing to change, but it wasn't enough to set our marriage back on track.

On the contrary, this made it all the more painful.

I would have preferred he never changed, that he remained indifferent to my feelings.. That way, I could leave without any regrets.

Christine patted my head, bringing the issue into the open with a smile, "What do you mean from now on? It was you who pushed her away. Don't try to compete with me in the future."

I knew Christine well enough; she would stand up for me even if it meant losing her job at the Ferguson Group.

As for Bryant, though I hadn't completely figured him out, I knew he struggled to separate personal issues from professional ones, potentially putting Christine at risk.

"Alright, let's eat," Steven interjected, wary of Christine's boldness possibly angering Bryant. "I'm starving here."

The meal was eaten with a n a mix of emotions.

But, adhering to the principle of not letting my unborn child go hungry, I m ate my fill. Steven raised his glass with a grin, toasting, "Here's to your new beginnings!" "Thank you. I'm sticking to juice for now," I replied with a smile, clinking my glas his.

Christine offered her sincere blessings, "Here's to Jane, may your future be filled with happiness and your path smooth and straight!

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