He paused, then let out a small laugh. Barely there.
"Sis-in-law, you're about to marry into this family. Is this really how you want to play it?"
I listened to all of it and said nothing.
Jim took my silence as surrender. He flicked his cigarette ash onto the carpet.
"There we go. Family doesn't hold grudges overnight. Delete the post, apologize to Christian, and we'll put the whole thing behind us."
"Once you marry in, we won't treat you badly."
Eliana nodded along. "Exactly. Your parents are gone, so we're your family now. As long as you behave, we'll take good care of you."
The living room went quiet for a few seconds.
Gabriel glanced at me.
Finally opened his mouth.
"Patsy, just say something."
"Everyone here wants what's best for this family. Give us an answer."
I lifted my head and looked at Gabriel.
My voice was flat. "I'll say it again. Anyone who touches my personal belongings without my permission is disrespecting me."
"I'm not apologizing for what happened today, and I'm not deleting the post."
"If it happens again, I'm calling 911."
Jim's face darkened instantly.
He crushed his cigarette out in the vase beside him, his voice rising.
"Patsy, what exactly are you trying to say? We've been nothing but reasonable, and you're still digging in?"
"You're a woman about to get married! What's yours, what's mine? Once you marry into this family, everything you own belongs to the Chavez family!"
Eliana jumped in too. "What is wrong with you? Our whole family came here to talk this out nicely, and this is the attitude we get?"
"Is it because you've got a fancy job and a nice car that you think you're too good for us?"
"Let me tell you something. With a temper like yours, no family would want you!"
Christian stood up.
He wasn't bouncing his leg anymore. He wasn't smiling either.
"Sis-in-law, I'm calling you that out of respect."
"Don't push your luck."
"All this fuss today, what's it really about? Your stuff? Won't let anyone drive the car, won't let anyone stay in the house. Then why bother getting married at all?"
"You really think my brother can't do better than you?"
He stepped forward, voice climbing higher.
"I'm warning you. Keep this up, and you won't set foot through our door."
"And when that happens, a woman with no parents, pushing thirty, let's see who'd still want you!"
The air in the living room felt like it had been sucked out.
Gabriel sat on the couch. Didn't move.
Didn't look at Christian. Didn't look at me.
Jim and Eliana said nothing either. They watched Christian finish every word, their faces carrying the quiet stamp of approval.
A few seconds passed.
I smiled.
"In that case, I won't be marrying in."
