Norah trailed behind, her mind in a whirlwind of shock that made her momentarily forget Xavier's coldness. The name "Gonzalez" bounced around her head like a flashing neon sign. He was Gonzalez?

He was actually Gonzalez!

All she knew before was that the Hanson family had a son, a half-brother to Yvonne. Gonzalez's mother had been frail, only managing to have him in her late thirties. After Yvonne's mother came into the picture, his mother passed away soon after, consumed by grief.

So, from the moment Yvonne and her mother stepped through the door, Gonzalez had been at odds with them, their relationship strained to the breaking point. And because Yvonne and her circle, including Jonathan, were close, Gonzalez almost never mixed with their group. Norah remembered visiting the Hanson household a few times with her grandfather; Gonzalez was either not home or kept out of sight.

Mr. Hanson, when speaking of him, would only sigh in resignation. Everyone said the Hanson son was a rebel, beyond the reach of his stepmother's affection.

Two years later, Norah heard that the Hanson son had run away from home. After that, news about him dried up, with rumors even circulating that he had died. She had almost forgotten the Hanson family had another son.

And it turned out to be Xavier!

Norah slumped into her seat, only to be snapped back to reality when Mr. Hanson chuckled, "Norah's all grown up now. Time really does fly!"

Blinking back to the present, she quickly responded, "Hello, Grandpa Hanson!"

gaze instinctively shifted to Xavier. She had just called his dad "Grandpa," so what should

Panic set in.

Yvonne but hasn't met Gonzalez, right? You probably don't remember him from when you

"It's been so rare for you two to

Norah froze.

looked over, his

but the word "uncle" just wouldn't come

could call him Gonzalez, just

Janice laughed. "You and Yvonne have known each other since you were kids, so informal names are

adjust the respect." .net

a

she realized what Xavier meant by

referring to Estelle's side of things, but now she understood the real

focus on her meal, her eyes occasionally stole glances at Xavier,

f.net

bitter, because after

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