"Will you listen?"

The knocks that soon followed on Natalie's door were too gentle to belong to her husband; she did not have that expectation for him to come after their quarrel anyway.

"Natalie, it's Gabriella."

She was already standing very close to the door, so she reached a hand and opened it for her sister-in-law, giving her a guarded look. Gabriella had always been on the sidelines of things, but when she did voice her opinion, everybody tended to listen to what she had to say.

Will she take my side or her father's side?

"May I come in?"

"Please." Judging by Gabriella's face, this could go either way.

Natalie decided to at least try and influence her opinion. She gave her a hug then instantly started a series of complaints.