ALEX
“Alex, I'm scared” Leah grabs my hand as she looks from me to Rayen.
I sigh, gently pulling my hand away, “isn't it you who wanted to have dinner with my family?”
“I did, but I'm afraid they'll still be hostile towards me.”
I glance down at Rayen who’s holding my other hand, clutching it like he senses something is off.
His eyes are silently watching, but he doesn't say anything.
“They probably will be,” I say honestly, walking up the steps to the estate's entrance. “But you wanted this, Leah. You said you could handle it. We can turn around if you feel like it's too much.”
She shakes her head as she lifts Rayen into her arms, “We are getting married soon. They will eventually accept me.”
I press my lips into a thin line. Not responding to that statement.
My mother is the first to turn toward us as Secretary Joane holds the door open for us.
Her posture stiffens, and her lips press tight like she just bit into something sour.
Nana lifts her chin but doesn’t bother to mask the disappointment written all over her face.
Rayen slides off Leah's arms and runs forward, excited with arms outstretched and with a smile showing off his missing front teeth as he shouts
“Grandma!”
Nana frowns, “Can't you see me too, young man?”
Rayen hugs mum and rushes to Nana with a laugh that tugs at my heartstrings, “Hello, Nana!”
“Rayen, darling,” she says coolly, standing to receive him in a gentle hug. “We’ve missed you.” Her eyes shine with love as she lifts my son, forgetting her old age.
“Good evening, Mum and Granny.” Leah smiles as she walks towards mum, who doesn't even glance at her as she turns.
“Come Rayen, you must be hungry!” Mum says as she grabs him and walks towards the table.
Nana stays back, her eyes still on Leah. She doesn't return the greeting either. Just gives a slight nod before adjusting the pearls on her wrist like her presence is something she needs to brush off.
I knew they wouldn't be for the idea, but for the sake of Rayen, they would show up. But union wasn't the main reason I agreed to this.
Leah’s smile falls for half a second, then she clears her throat and walks beside me as we move deeper into the house.
“They love Rayen, and that's enough for me,” she whispers.
"They will eventually come around."
Leah laughs, "It's been seven years." Leah points out.
I sigh as I pull out a chair for her. When she seats, I take the one next to her.
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