My Wife is a Hacker by Summer

"What did you say? I didn’t catch that." Doretta noticed Ellar's clear displeasure, her own face losing some color at his reaction.

Before things could escalate, Patricia stepped in, "Jumping to talk of marriage is jumping the gun, don't you think?" "But Aunt Emma adores you.

She's quite keen on the idea of you joining the family," Doretta couldn't help but smile again, trying to lighten the mood.

Noticing Ellar's continued annoyance, Patricia subtly pinched him as a cue to ease up.

"Ouch!" The pinch caught Ell ar off guard, making him grunt involuntarily.

"Ellar?" Doretta's confusion grew, looking between them for an explanation.

Catching Patricia's subtle cue, Ellar took a deep breath, attempting to soften his stance.

"Like we’ve mentioned earlier, marriage isn't on our agenda for the next few years.

Mom's on board with that decision, so it's not something we're rushing into." "Oh, I understand," Doretta replied, her smile returning.

"Well, in that case, Ellar, you'll have to really look out for Patricia.

It'd be a real loss if you let someone as wonderful as her slip away." Ellar mustered a tight smile in response, choosing to keep his peace.

he figured it was wiser to hold back any comments that

restaurant

for the main dining area rather than a secluded private room turned out to be a fortunate choice, considering the addition

dynamic less awkward than it might have

orders, a

ghostly air to the meal, with each person

a foul mood, silently wished for the meal to end quickly so they could all go

during the car ride, found it increasingly difficult to engage with someone as

as naturally reserved as Patricia, Doretta's incessant talking was becoming a test of her

the silence from Ellar and Patricia, chose to mirror their quietness, perhaps sensing the

head back, Doretta spoke up, 'I won't be coming back with you

got some errands I need to take care of." "Alright then,"

of her errands, nor did he try to convince her

agreement came quickly,

Ellar's car drove off, her face turning notably more somber once it was out of

to a

cautious glance around, she swiftly approached

matter?" Doretta's tone carried a touch of

you've started

need of an internal ally?" the occupant of