Just remember.

Noah

As Natalie stepped into my mother's house, I felt a pang of apprehension. It wasn't just because of the strained relationship between Natalie and my mother, but also because I realized bringing her here might have been a grave error. My mother had never been particularly fond of Natalie, and as soon as she caught sight of her, her expression soured, her lips forming a thin line of disapproval.

"Hello, Mrs. Donovan," Natalie chirped, her voice too cheery, too forced, as if trying too hard to impress. I winced inwardly, knowing that Natalie's over-the-top demeanor was only going to exacerbate the tension.

My mother's response was polite but distant. "Hello, Natalie. It's been a while."

Natalie launched into a torrent of words, her sentences flowing together in a rapid stream. "Yes, it has! Noah has told me so much about you! Your garden looks lovely, by the way. Oh, and I adore what you've done with the curtains in the living room. Such a nice touch!"

I shot Natalie a warning glanc