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.

was wiser to hold back any comments that

restaurant Ellar had

a secluded private room turned out to be a fortunate choice, considering the addition of

awkward than it might have

placed their orders, a palpable silence descended

ghostly air to the meal, with each person focusing solely on their

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

up much of her diplomatic energy during the car ride, found it increasingly difficult to engage

someone as naturally reserved as Patricia, Doretta's incessant talking was becoming

and Patricia, chose to mirror their

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

I need to take care of."

didn't inquire about the specifics of her errands, nor did he try

came quickly,

off, her face turning notably more somber once

turned her attention to

cautious glance around, she

the matter?" Doretta's tone carried

you've

be in need of an internal ally?"