Wedding Room Controversy: Who is the Outsider?

My brother, Gideon Vance, had just gotten married, and our mother was concerned that he and his wife, Freya Vance, would find their home too quiet. She suggested we visit to bring some life to their place.

Gideon had always been successful. Right after his wedding, he bought a house in one of the city's upscale neighborhoods. I was genuinely proud of him! He's my only brother, after all. And I even contributed a fair amount toward his new home.

Mom had always raved about how wonderful the house was, and today, I was finally going to see it for myself. As my mom, my son, Aiden Madison, and I approached the grand entrance, a security guard came up to greet us. "You must be Madam Amelia Vance. Mrs. Vance informed me of your arrival; please, follow me."

As we entered the complex, a lush green vista greeted us. The pathways were immaculate, and even the trash bins shone brightly. The janitorial staff we encountered nodded and greeted us warmly, making me inwardly remark on Gideon's good taste.

The security guard swiped us into the elevator and then left. The elevator itself was opulent, and I was taken aback when the doors opened to reveal a small room over ten square meters in size. My mom teased at my stunned look, "Oh, this is called a pre-elevator lobby, all high-end complexes have them."

We rang the doorbell, and soon after, Freya opened the door. "Amelia, Elodie, you've finally arrived. Dinner is ready.

"Come on, Aiden," she said, "let's get you washed up."

After helping us with our luggage, Freya took Aiden by the hand and led him inside. I changed my shoes and stepped into the house, only to be taken aback again. I had never seen such a spacious and bright home. The large windows and expansive living room were stunning, and though the decor seemed simple, I knew it was all very costly.

Gideon was busy in the kitchen, serving the last dish. The plates and bowls were genuinely exquisite.

Soon, our family sat down at the dining table. Gideon had prepared lavish dishes. It was a clear sign of a special occasion. Seeing how well he was doing filled me with relief; our family finally had someone who made something of himself.

"Gideon, shouldn't you give your sister and me an elevator card? And that door lock, shouldn't we record our fingerprints too?"

Mom was always thinking ahead; the security couldn't be expected to open the door for us every time.

Gideon slapped his forehead. "You're right, I hadn't thought of that. I'll have Freya arrange a temporary one for you to use with the property management."

Temporary? Why was Gideon still being so formal with us?

"Oh, come on, Gideon, why bother with a temporary one? It'll just need renewing, which is such a hassle."

Before Gideon could reply, Freya cut in. "Elodie, it's really convenient with our property management. You won't be staying many days, there's no need for renewals."

Freya's words irked me. How long we stayed was none of her business.

I glanced at my mom, who immediately got the hint. "Freya, you don't understand, this housewarming isn't just a few days' event. It could drag on for a year or even longer. We're just looking out for our family, hoping for our prosperity to continue."

A year or even longer? Mom hadn't mentioned it being so long before, but it didn't matter. Where else would I stay? Having been married away for so many years, now that I'm back, it was a perfect opportunity to bond with Gideon.

Gideon quickly agreed with Mom. "Exactly, Freya, it's not your concern how long my mom and sister stay. If they leave, you might even miss them!"

Hearing us say this, Freya forced a smile. "We'll see when the time comes. Maybe mom and sis won't even like staying here."

It was my first encounter with Freya, and I had hoped our family wouldn't face any tensions. Yet, Freya's vibe wasn't welcoming. Clearly, those not of one family don't share one heart. Her comments seemed calculated to make us feel unwelcome, just like her overly concerned behavior towards my son when we first arrived. Who was she performing for?