Gordon's eyes widened as the realization finally crawled into place.
'Come to think of it… I've never met any of her family.'
The thought hit harder than any blow. His mind scrambled backward, replaying years of memories. Vacations. Holidays. Quiet celebrations at home. Not once had Valeria's parents visited. No siblings. No distant relatives dropping by unannounced. Nothing. He had never questioned it.
'Why am I only noticing this now?'
The unease deepened as his thoughts pushed further back, past anniversaries and first arguments, past the wedding itself. And his brow furrowed again.
'How did I even meet her?'
The memory blurred. One moment he was living alone, working late, eating cold meals. Next, he was married. There was no first meeting. No courtship. No beginning. Just… suddenly, Valeria was there.
His breath hitched.
