Their family gatherings overflowed with inside jokes and decades-old stories. My future mother-in-law, Cassandra, held court at the dining table, recounting Julian’s childhood tales, while my future sister-in-law, Freya, added her dramatic flair.
They brushed off anything I said.
Julian was my only solace. He saw their treatment and stood by me, though he often got caught in the crossfire of his mother and sister’s opinions.
“They’ll warm up,” he’d whisper after dinners, seeing my hurt. “They just need time to know you.”
