"He informed me about the invitation from the then-head of the Safaira family.

I was apprehensive, but then I realized that it was their territory after all. They could have done something to me already if they had meant it.

I followed the polite messenger to the Safaira Mansion, suppressing my nervousness.

I quickly met the dignified head of the Safaira family, under whose protection I had sought refuge.

That was my first meeting with Uncle Gamus. He was in his prime back then, looking every bit like what one would imagine a family head to be.

But he didn't intimidate me. One because he didn't want to, and another because I had lived with people much more powerful than him.

As I entered the courtyard he had summoned me to, I saw a person tied up to a tree there.

It was Bolance. His expression was green and anguished, but he didn't dare to speak as Uncle Gamus gazed at him regularly.

To my astonishment, Uncle Gamus apologized to me on behalf of his nephew.

Without waiting for me to say anything, he already stated that I could punish Bolance if I wanted. He simply asked for forgiveness for the incident. And like Bolance, he also mentioned compensation regarding the items Uncle Benny had given to Bolance.

Although Uncle Gamus was not of the same breed as Bolance and knew how to consider people's feelings, the times that they were going through were already troublesome.

And from Bolance's description of Uncle Benny, Uncle Gamus must have already recognized him as a threat greater than even the Handler family.

So anyway, he just wanted me to live there for a few days until they arranged a few things for me.

I had once again turned down any reimbursement for what Uncle Gamus had given Bolance. I only asked for the things I had previously listed.

Uncle Gamus agreed, not saying anything else. He also didn't mention anything about Bolance marrying me or something, as he had a clue that I might not agree.

That's how my stay with the Safaira family began.

A dozen days soon passed. I didn't know why they were delaying me, but I did not try to urge them as I could see them dealing with the pressure of their enemies. I was anxious, but that didn't mean that I wouldn't even consider their trouble. Besides, I knew that no amount of time could help me find Uncle Benny and Lady Faustina if I couldn't find any clues.

Finally, it had been almost three weeks since the incident between Bolance and me. Just as I was considering asking for a meeting with Uncle Gamus, I began to feel sick.

Before I recognized the symptoms, the possibility of being poisoned by my host family flashed through my mind.

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I also understood why they had delayed my journey.

And as expected, Uncle Gamus appeared in front of my door the next minute. His expression was one of nervousness and anticipation. It was my first time seeing him show such vivid expressions.

He then explained why the delay occurred. It was exactly as I had expected. He was not like his inconsiderate nephew; he had taken into account the possibility of something like this happening.

So when he asked me to confirm his guess, I dazedly nodded my head. I was experiencing a completely new feeling.

I was pregnant...

It was such an unreal experience. And I should have hated that feeling. But somehow, I just couldn't bring myself to hate it.

Contrary to my complicated emotions, Uncle Gamus was happy. He had already tossed all his previous considerations out the window.

He directly asked me if I wanted to marry his nephew.

I refused at once. Although I had begun to recognize the new condition I found myself in, I could not accept that man as my husband. He was the last person I would choose to spend my life with.

Uncle Gamus was a little disappointed by my response, but not by much. He seemed to know his nephew quite well.

Finally, he gave me an offer I saw no reason to reject.

He told me that he'd arrange for an in-name marriage. It would help both me and the child find our footing.

I was conflicted at first as I wanted to leave to find Lady Faustina and Uncle Benny, but then I thought about the uncertainties of going out in such a condition, and most importantly, I could already imagine how Lady Faustina would react if she knew that I had harmed an unborn life in order to find them.

Finally making up my mind, I decided to do as Lady Faustina had asked me. I decided to live. Live for her, live for myself, and live for the new life being nurtured within me."

"And that's how I came to reside in the Safaira family."

Loreana stopped speaking, appearing melancholic.

Anom was silent as he was quite impressed with what kind of different experiences Loreana had gone through. It was nothing short of incredible for an ordinary person.

Suddenly, Crystal, who had been silent all this while, asked, "Um, Mom?"

"Yes, dear." Loreana replied instantly, looking at her daughter with an extra gentle gaze. Recounting her own experience had made her remember the reason she had settled in with this family. It was her daughter who made her stay.

"Then… then if you…" Crystal hesitated before finally asking, "Then how did you get pregnant while you never married Father? How did I even get born? Was there something more to the story you haven't narrated yet?"

There was a brief silence as both Loreana and Anom looked at Crystal.

Finally, Loreana couldn't help but ask, "Were you even listening?" She was sure that she had used, save the sensitive words, enough description to make anyone understand her story. But now her daughter has finally managed to amaze her with her words.

"It looks like your daughter is too innocent for her own good, Loreana." Anom was also speechless. "Doesn't she remind you of someone?" he then asked.

Loreana glared at him but was similarly speechless. She didn't know how to explain it again to Crystal without making them both embarrassed.

Seeing their reactions, Crystal pouted in anger, saying, "Don't tell me if you don't want to; why are you mocking me?"

Anom found her too adorable, but he still spoke.

"Crystal, do you remember the part where your mother and father got drunk?"

Nodding her head, Crystal added, "I remember."

"Then what do you think happened after they got on the bed?"

Crystal frowned before asking, "Didn't they just sleep? Father was already asleep while mother also fell asleep then." She then blushed to herself before adding, "They didn't even do anything that time. Not even cuddle o-or… kiss…"

Loreana almost face-palmed. She really had not seen that coming.

Meanwhile, Anom just smiled before asking, "Is that so?" Then what do you think they should have done?"

Crystal turned blank before replying, "How should I know?"

Anom didn't say anything more and just turned to Loreana, speaking in a voice low enough for only them to hear.

"That's why sex education is important."

He had just finished speaking when Loreana blushed. Anom turned silent again before muttering, "I forgot that her mother is even more of a special case. Expecting anything less from her daughter would be a mistake."