ALL BEHIND US

The atmosphere inside the house was anything but tranquil. It was alive with the lively chatter of guests, their voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of conversation.

Among them were Axel, his wife, and their three-year-old child, who darted around the room with innocent energy. Grandma, the matriarch of the family, had insisted we gather for dinner at her house, bringing together everyone I held dear. Mr. Gavin and Rudeus were also present, making this evening a family occasion despite the underlying tension.

As I walked towards the dining hall, a sharp whisper reached my ears. "When you told me you were married, I was stupefied. No one would have thought you'd end up with Roman," Mom remarked, and her words hung in the air like a weight.

An awkward silence enveloped the room as I took my place at the table, Roman sitting beside me. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.