Chapter 15 Family Time
Carlos told me at the very last minute that his siblings were coming over for dinner tonight. I’m not sure how to feel about it. I’ve met them before and they seem nice, but I don’t know if I can handle the pressure.
I still feel weak. My body is drained, but I’m pushing through so he doesn’t suspect anything. I’ve managed to hide my pills in a spot I hope he never checks. It’s where I keep my toiletries, and something tells me he’ll never go through that cupboard. Most guys can’t even handle the sight of tampons, used or not.
Once I finished getting dressed, I made sure to take my medicine again before stepping out to meet Carlos’s siblings, who were already seated at the dining table.
As I walked toward the dining hall, I heard Carlos’s voice. "Why did you have to come here? I told you I didn’t want any of you here."
His voice was sharp, loud, and full of frustration.
"It’s not just your home. This is our home too," a female voice replied firmly. It sounded like Caroline, the oldest sibling.
"Well, I don’t care," Carlos snapped. "Because once dinner is over, you’re leaving. Next time, call before you come. Actually, don’t come at all. I don’t like having you around."
He sounded like he truly hated them. I wouldn’t have guessed that, especially after seeing how happy they all seemed at the party.
"You think we wanted to come?" She scoffed "Papa had us come here so don’t be so full of yourself Carlos." She said
The next voice that chirped in was Stephan’s. He was trying to calm the situation but Carlos wasn’t just having it.
I didn’t want to wait back to hear the whole thing so I walked further. By the time I walked into the room, their expressions had shifted. Carlos turned to me and smiled, his mood switching instantly as if he hadn’t angry moments before. He walked over, took my hand, and led me toward his siblings.
"You all remember my lovely wife, Nala, right?" He said, a smile on his face
"Of course we do. We’re here to see her," said Jasmine, the youngest.
"Oh come on, don’t make me jealous," He said with a light laugh. But I could tell he was faking it.
"It’s nice to see you again, Nala," Jasmine added, her smile warm.
"You know." I smiled I then turned to the others. "Hi, Caroline. Stephen. Jenn." My voice was steady, polite.
Jenn gave me a soft smile and Stephen nodded with a quiet "hey." But Caroline didn’t even bother looking at me or responding to me
I hesitated for just a second, unsure if I should greet her again. But instead, I walked over quietly and took my seat without saying a word.
Dinner was served shortly after, and we began to eat. The room fell into a heavy silence, with only the sound of cutlery clinking against plates. No one spoke, but I noticed the siblings exchanging quiet glances.
"So…" Jasmine finally broke the silence. "When should I expect to be an aunt?"
I immediately choked on my food. What the hell did she just say? An aunt? Is she crazy?
I reached for my glass of water as my eyes darted to Carlos. His expression didn’t change, he looked completely unfazed. Jasmine glanced between the two of us, confused.
"What? Why are you acting so weird? It’s just a question. I’m curious."
"Mind your business, Jasmine," Carlos said flatly, taking a sip of wine.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Dinner continued, and the conversation faded into awkward small talk. It struck me how strange Carlos’s dynamic with his siblings felt tense like every word was measured and forced.
I’ve never had siblings, but I always imagined that if I did, we’d be best friends. This felt like the opposite.
As the meal dragged on, I found myself picking at the food more than eating it. My appetite had faded the moment Jasmine brought up children. I could still feel Carlos’s hand resting lightly on mine under the table, but it felt more like a silent warning than affection.
"So, Nala," Caroline said suddenly, forcing a smile. "How are you finding everything? Settling in okay?"
I looked up, surprised she was speaking directly to me. "Yeah," I replied, my voice quiet. "It’s been… an adjustment. But I’m managing."
Carlos gave my hand a gentle squeeze as if reminding me to choose my words carefully.
"You know," Caroline said, her voice light but probing, "you don’t have to manage alone. We’re family. You can always talk to us."
Carlos’s grip tightened slightly. I forced a smile. "Thanks. That means a lot."
No one said a word afterward. The air in the room felt too thick like everyone was trying to say something without really saying it. Jasmine started scrolling on her phone, clearly bored. Carlos’s brother, Stephan, and his wife Jenn hadn’t spoken at all. They kept their eyes on their plate all the time and only looked up when it was necessary.
After a while, Carlos excused himself to the bathroom.
As he stepped out, Caroline spoke, almost immediately "You know, Nala… it’s weird how he married you so quickly without ever mentioning you to us," She said, her eyes finally locking with mine. "Something tells me this whole relationship with you is nothing but an experiment."
I froze my fork halfway to my mouth. I stopped eating immediately. My heart thudded in my chest. What does she mean by that?
Jasmine’s eyes widened. She nudged Caroline, clearly trying to defuse the moment. "Caroline, come on, don’t start," She said under her breath, casting me an apologetic glance.
But Caroline didn’t flinch. She held my gaze like she was daring me to speak, daring me to push back.
Without another word, she reached for the wine bottle, poured herself a glass, and walked away. The others followed behind her, as if under her command.
I sat there in silence, stunned. I didn’t know what shook me more, her words, or the way she said them, like I wasn’t even worthy of anything.