Page 161 of Sadistic

Both families descend on our house like a friendly invasion.

My parents bring wine worth more than most cars.

Revna's parents bring enough food to feed an army.

"You've done something different," Fern says, admiring the living room. "It looks... lived in."

"That's all Rev," I answer. "She insisted on making it a home, not a showpiece."

"Smart girl." She pats my arm. "Though I already knew that."

Our fathers disappear to discuss their hunting trip.

Our mothers commandeer the kitchen even with Dalla's protests.

Rhiannon arrives fashionably late with her "someone"—a local politician named Peter who looks like the kind of man who will work his way up the ladder.

"How long?" Revna whispers to me.

"Three months, apparently. She kept it quiet."

"Smart. Your family's intimidating."

"Our family," I correct. "You're one of us now."

Dinner is chaos.

Conversations overlap, stories interrupt each other, wine flows freely.

"This is nice," Revna says quietly, leaning into me while our families argue about something ridiculous. "Messy and loud and slightly dysfunctional, but nice."

"Better than nice," I agree.

Later, after everyone's gone and Dalla's retreated to her wing, Revna and I stand on our bedroom balcony.

The night air carries hints of jasmine from the garden below.

"I love you, little wolf.."

"I love you too."

We head inside as the night grows cool.

Tomorrow is going to bring a lot of change for all of us—Dalla starts her internship, Revna has classes, I have an empire to run.

The MC will move on Bembe soon, setting off ripples we'll have to navigate.

But tonight, in this house we've made a home, with her sister safe in the east wing and our families learning to blend, everything is exactly as it should be.

"Come to bed," Revna says, already pulling back the covers. "Tomorrow's going to be insane."

"Every day's insane in our life."

"True. But it's our insane."

I join her in bed, pulling her close.

Three months of marriage, and I still can't believe she's here.

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