Luana's voice broke the silence, which immediately made Rey look at his wife with a serious gaze.

"Living and growing up in a village in Heidelberg, my childhood was nothing special," Luana continued. "A typical country girl, who spent her time playing with friends. But at the age of nine, I heard the news."


"Rumors?" interrupted Rey absently. He used one of the pillows for support, with a heightened sense of hearing to listen to his wife's story. "News about?"

"About my parents," Luana replied with a faint smile. "They say I was abandoned as a child, and I can't do anything about it."

The woman's eyes were dreamy, as she dredged up a story about herself that she had never told anyone else.


"I lived with my grandmother and some cousins, until my grandmother died when I was 14 years old." Luana took a slow breath. "It was so painful, because her death not only made us lose our support, but we also had to separate because there was no one else to support us but her."

Every word that came out of his wife's lips made Rey feel his chest rumble, because it turned out that the two of them were raised in a very different way.


If Rey had his needs met from the moment he was born, then Luana had faced something that made her strong because of the circumstances.

"After that incident, some of my cousins were taken as slaves to Stuttgart." Luana raised her head, letting her eyes meet her husband's bluish irises.

"I thought I would go with them as well, but the Collins family found me at my grandmother's grave," she continued. "Then, another thing I found out back then was that my parents owed the noble family quite a bit of money."

Rey could not help but nod his head, for this was the common thread of the huge compensation his father had given to the Collins family.

Luana squeezed her fingers involuntarily, trying hard to hold back the shock and pain that was growing by the second. Reliving that moment had never been easy, especially when she had to reveal everything now.

"No need to continue, darling." Rey reached for his wife's twisted hands and clasped them together to bring out the warmth.

"If it hurts you or makes you sad, I'm willing not to hear it," Rey said again. "You can stop now."

Luana curved a faint smile, letting her bead meet Rey's for a few moments. It made her heart burst to realize how he didn't want to make her sad.

Rey knew how to put her at ease, and Luana felt truly loved now.

"No, Daddy," she said half teasingly. "Let me finish. Besides, it's not that sad, really."

Rey's eyes turned quickly, as if asking if Luana would be okay if she continued to tell her story. Patting the back of Rey's hand, Luana looked reassured.

"At first I was worried because I had to move to Munich," Luana murmured now. "I don't know how I took on the debt of parents I didn't even recognize, but I'm grateful that it was the Collins family who took me in."

The handshake still felt warm.

"Did they treat you well?" Rey asked hopefully. "Are you happy there?"

Luana's smile widened even more, followed by a confident nod.

"They are a very good, respected family, Rey," Luana said honestly. "They treat us servants well, and provide more than enough for all our needs. There are not many servants who do not feel at home, as Madam Collins is a good host and employer."

There was a relief that seeped into Rey's heart. Thankful that Luana had not suffered the abuse that sometimes happened to servants. The Collins family that Rey knew did have a good reputation in their city.

"I'm relieved to hear that," Rey commented with an unforced sigh of relief. "I'm glad you liked the Collins residence before our meeting, my dear."

Luana nodded slowly. "I am grateful for that as well. Although our work seems endless, we are very well provided for."

Now there was nothing for Rey to worry about, because Luana had done well. Despite the memories of her imperfect childhood due to the loss of her parents, the little girl had truly transformed into a charming adult woman.

Her polite and soft-hearted demeanor was also the reason that made Rey crazy about her.

"You never think about your parents, Luana?" asked Rey now. The clock chimed ten times, indicating that night was rising. "Do you ever miss them?"

Luana couldn't answer the question right away. This time she took a pensive pause, absorbing it with all her body and soul before mumbling the answer.

"That...," Luana trailed off. "I never have," she said confidently. "Maybe because I didn't recognize them, so I didn't miss a bit of it."

Rey reached for Luana to hug her tightly, as if preparing to be the woman's refuge.

"It's okay," Rey whispered between their embraces. "Now you have my mom and dad and me here. I hope that's enough to make you feel less alone."

Luana nestled her head deeper, completely nestled into her husband's broad chest.

"I couldn't ask for more than this, Rey," she whispered. "If you're asking when exactly I fell in love with you, maybe I can answer that this time."

Rey was stunned for a few seconds, before asking.

"When? When exactly did you start loving me?"

Luana broke their embrace, to look up at her husband.

Her pink lips were the object of Rey's attention, as he refrained from grabbing them at this very moment.

"Ever since you gave your mother to me," Luana said with a smile. "Ever since then, my heart keeps pounding when I'm around you."

Rey pulled his memory to recall, finding himself transported to the moment where they spoke in the man's room at Lueic's large residence in Leipzig.

Yes, that was when Rey gave his mother to Luana.

"Since then?" Rey's beady eyes widened. "You've fallen in love with me?"

Luana shrugged, trying to hide the fact that she had obviously just revealed.

"Well, maybe," she replied. "No one has ever given me what I wanted, and you're the first person to give it to me."

Moving to cup both hands on her husband's cheeks, Luana continued. "Thank you for loving me, Rey. I am grateful for that."

Moving forward to kiss Rey's lips, Luana expresses the happiness she feels. The time she spent on her imperfect childhood was now replaced with a perfection she never imagined.

"I should be the one thanking you, sweetheart," Rey replied in a half-whisper. "Thank you also for loving me back. I'm happy to be your first love."

Rey kissed his wife's forehead back, as Luana half-laughed. Looking at Rey hesitantly, Luana was wondering if she should straighten something out or not.

"Uhm, yes." Luana cleared her throat softly. "I do love you, but sorry Rey. You're not my first love."

Although initially hesitant, but finally Luana told the truth. Looking at Rey's drastically changed face, Luana couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Rey," the woman said, getting the upper hand. "But you have to accept the situation."

Rey's jaw hardened just like that, for some reason jealousy quickly took over even though it was all in the past.

The thought of Luana ever liking another man made his chest tighten suddenly.

"Tell me," Rey's voice was very flat. "Tell me, who is that man? The one who became your first love, who is he?"

Luana looked at Rey with a funny expression, because the man looked so adorable.

"You've met him," Luana answered honestly.

Rey frowned. "I have! When?" The man's tone of voice rose. "Where?"

Luana rubbed Rey's arm which seemed to be getting hard.

"Calm down, do you want to know?"

"Yes, tell me now."

Their eyeballs met again, just as Luana opened her lips to mumble the words.

"He's... Mario."

Rey's brow furrowed further. "Mario? Who's Mario?"

"The friend of mine you met in Heidelberg, when we were at the hotel that time."

Rey's eyeballs rolled perfectly, as his mind now visualized the man his wife was referring to.

Mario... That hotel staff guy?!