Sometimes, you just have to set the boundary, even if it stings a bit. She wasn't out here trying to be the ice queen

you want to know me, just, I dunno, talk to me like a normal person.

ave of frustration. Most people would've snapped, let's be real. But Elena? Nah, she kept it together, al

arima had hoped for: Elena was it. The one. The only person who might actually reach her knucklehead of a son. She felt it in her bone

up, like a shy little flower. If she could fall for

ose to hope. "I'm sorry, Elena. I really am. Won't happe

tight but yeah, maybe a little less than b

voice not quite as hard as she wanted. "I'll le

s and relief, like someone w

an apology," she said, softer now. She straightened u

enly felt too big. You ever get that? The air a little heavie

this mess. She wasn't gonna let things get weird with Elena-not if she could help it. Felt like

id." Her eyes didn't waver. "Selling the land's gonna drag on. You

gave Narima this awkward litt

ound, said her piece. Sure, the doubts still nipped at her heels, but wh

honestly. Something about that woman just got under her skin, in a good w

hat didn't hurt. Nah, Elena had layers. The kind of stuff you didn't see right away, but man, if you caught

ghter-in-law material? Absolutely. Didn't matter if Elena or even her own son threw a fit-love wo

d hit an invisible wall. She'd been marching away, probably in a hu

and surprised, belonged to Elva

enough he'd disappear. No such luck. There he was-her

thing, pulling tight, clearly not thrilled to see him. If

you doing here? How did you find my house?" He sounded rattled, which-fair.

notted up inside. Like, wait-Elvano? Here? Serious

g over themselves. Is this the guy Narima wants me to meet? No way. She almos

Imagine marrying Elvano, the guy she bickers with more

attitude. "What, cat got your tongue? Honestly, I'm starting to mi

pped, shouldering past him. No way was she gonna stand ar

She jerked her head up, heart thumping, and there he was: all i

oftness, no wiggle room. Just that unbl

. Didn't think you could handle five min

ed her eyes. "Are you ac

your life's that interesting? If I were gonna stalk someone, I'd at

he could see it. Sa

bout this whole situation was just... off. Suspic

ight as well drop her in a volcano while they're a

contin