The memories seemed to drift back to a time when they were young, in their early twenties, and the world seemed to revolve around each other. They were just a step away from officially acknowledging whaty between them.


    Teague felt a stir in his heart, ready to say something, when Madge suddenly stood up. "Look at me... I should start calling you brother-inw now. Let me introduce my husband, Norris."


    The words "brother-inw" and "husband" hit Teague like a punch, knocking the wind out of him.


    His gaze fell onto the man beside Madge.


    Norris, oblivious to any tension, warmly invited Teague to sit and even brought him a clean set of silverware.


    Teague''s lips twitched, but all he managed was a quiet, "...Thank you."


    Norris was already known for his cooking skills, but tonight he seemed to have outdone himself. The vors were bound to be exceptional.


    Indeed, the older couple couldn''t stop praising the meal.


    During dinner, Norris adeptly attended to Madge and Roseanne''s preferences, carefully peeling shrimp for his wife and serving Roseanne all her favorite dishes.


    Roseanne looked at the mountain of food umting before her and sighed, "Dad, I haven''t even finished what I have."


    Madge chimed in, "And stop piling food on my te too. If I can''t finish it, it''s on you to deal with it."


    "Not a problem." Norris replied with a cheerful grin.


    Whatever Madge couldn''t finish inevitably ended up on his te, something he was used to and didn''t mind at all.


    But to everyone else at the table, the scene had a different vor-


    Teague''s eyes darkened.


    Kathleen smirked sarcastically. As if they were such a loving couple?


    Corley was engrossed in his food, so focused it was like he was in a bubble, indifferent to everything around him.


    Meanwhile, the elders exchanged a nce. They had worried Norris might not be good enough for their Madge, but now they were slightly concerned that their sweet son-inw might be a bit too soft-hearted.


    After all-


    It was in to see that Madge had Norris wrapped around her little finger.


    And he seemed perfectly happy with that, grinning like he was living the dream, not caring what anyone thought.


    It was like... finding the perfect match.


    Norris, mindful of the olddy''s sensitive teeth and her preference for milder vors, served her a bow of creamy three-cheese soup. "...it''s just the right temperature now, not too hot or cold, and the meatis nice and tender, Mom, please enjoy."


    "Oh, thank you, I can manage..."


    Despite her words, Norris wasn''t about to let her handle it alone.


    He carefully ced the bowl in front of her, saying, "And don''t just have the soup,


    try some of the other dishes too..."


    "Alright."


    Neely, with his penchant for saltier,


    more savory dishes, had been


    ie


    advised to watch his health, so Norris had prepared some refreshing sds and less sweet zed pork.


    The elder couple exchanged a knowing smile, satisfied with what they saw.


    Atst, they believed their daughter when she said she was happy with her life.


    Teague, meanwhile, couldn''t help


    but watch Madge out of the corner of his eye. He saw her serving the olddy, chatting with Norris, and asionally checking in on their daughter...


    She also turned to him and Kathleen, weing them warmly and encouraging them to eat more.


    The hospitality and grace with which she hosted were a far cry from the carefree, socially awkward girl with a hint of a princess attitude he once knew.


    "...Honey, your brother-inw is trying to ask you something?" Kathleen''s voice was warm, but her grip on his hand under the table was anything but gentle. Teague snapped out of his reverie, "...Sorry, I was lost in thought. What did you say?"


    Norris smiled, "I noticed you''re not eating much. Would you like me to get you some more?"