The hallway outside our room stretched long and quiet, but my pulse was anything but calm. As I walked hand in hand with Elena, her fingers warm and steady in mine, I felt my nerves creeping in.
Tonight wasn't just about Grandpa; tonight was the first time she'd meet most of my extended family.
And, oh, there were a lot of them.
It wasn't like I doubted Elena—she had this effortless charm and elegance about her, the kind that could make even the iciest of critics thaw. But my family?
They weren't just icy; they were... eccentric, nosy, and sometimes downright judgmental. My mother was proof of that.
"You okay?" Elena's voice broke through my thoughts. She squeezed my hand gently, her dark eyes studying me with that soft concern she always carried.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just—my family can be... overwhelming."
