Chapter 80 Luke's Untold Past

Caelan continued, "There was a time when we were on a business trip together. We found ourselves on an unfamiliar path, and Luke, in his usual manner, casually approached a stranger for directions. His tone was so icy that it could've frozen the air. After he got the information he needed, he simply muttered a thank you and walked away without another word." Upon hearing this, Charlotte couldn't help but burst into laughter. "I never imagined you were like that before." Luke considered these recollections a dark past. Yet, seeing Charlotte so engrossed, he had no intention of interrupting. Since meeting Charlotte, he had made an effort to appear more approachable by altering his demeanor in her presence, though he himself hadn't fully realized this change. "Indeed, I never paid much attention to these things in the past," admitted Luke. "That's true," Charlotte said thoughtfully. "It's hard to notice one's own behavior, so to outsiders, your transformation appears quite significant." After reminiscing and sharing stories for a while, they found themselves slightly inebriated. Sofia and Caelan, already comfortable in this setting, made their way to their room in the house as if they were in their own home. Luke and Charlotte watched them ascend the stairs, not yet intending to retire themselves. Luke went to fetch another bottle of red wine. With sleep beginning to cloud her eyes, Charlotte gazed up at Luke. "I think marrying you is the happiest thing in my life." "Then enjoy it to the fullest, my lady." Charlotte spoke softly, "I really appreciate the atmosphere of your family, something I never experienced before." Luke gently stroked her hair. "But haven't you been doing a splendid job yourself? You've raised the children wonderfully, surely a step up from your previous household." "That's true," Charlotte said, her lips curving into a natural smile at the thought of her two children. "But I always feel like I've brought you a lot of trouble since we've been together." "Why would you think that?" Charlotte voiced her guilt, "From my first day at the company, Frank has been picking on me incessantly. And then there's my parents; I feel like they've caused you a lot of trouble too." "So, you've been worried about these things," Luke said, pausing thoughtfully. "But these issues are theirs, not yours." Charlotte's expression turned serious. "Have you ever thought that maybe I really did stray back then?" The various incidents that unfolded after her return home haunted her. Luke had always unconditionally supported her, even when her own father, who had once been loving, chose not to believe her. These memories still brought a tinge of sorrow to Charlotte. Sitting face to face with her, Luke said, "I believe I have the ability to judge right from wrong. Although there are some entanglements between our families, my interactions with Frank have always been purely business-related. Compared to him, I have a better relationship with Sofia. In these matters, I trust you." "Thank you for having such faith in me," Charlotte whispered. Luke leaned in, sealing her words with a deep kiss. "No need for thanks. In fact, I should be thanking Sofia. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been blessed with children so soon." Charlotte couldn't help but laugh, marveling at the wonderful twist of fate. She and Luke had never crossed paths before, and if not for Sofia offering her this job, she might still be living abroad, in her own bubble of isolation. Now, in what seemed like no time at all, she had become Luke's wife, cherished by a loving husband and embraced as a daughter by her in-laws. Tears of joy glistened in Charlotte's eyes. "I love you, Luke." "I love you." Charlotte playfully blinked at him. "I thought you'd say 'I love you too.'" Luke shook his head slightly. "Saying 'I love you too' implies my love is dependent on yours. But my love for you isn't because you love me; I love you for who you are." Charlotte, slightly tipsy, found his words a bit confusing but profoundly heartfelt. She opened her arms and embraced Luke who loved her deeply. Resting her head on Luke's shoulder, she felt an overwhelming sense of security. "It's getting late. You should get some sleep," he said gently. "You really do sound like a parent lately." "Why do you say that?" Charlotte leaned lazily against him. "Because urging someone to sleep is something a parent would do. And you keep reminding me of it, just like a parent would." "I just don't want you to get too tired. You need to rest well, don't you have to prepare for the children's preschool induction tomorrow?" Charlotte yawned, her eyelids heavy with sleep. "I almost forgot about that. Let's get a good rest tonight then. I want to be at my best for the preschool induction." As Charlotte struggled to stand steadily, Luke effortlessly scooped her into his arms, intending to carry her to their bedroom. Charlotte reveled in the feeling of being so cherished. As he laid her down on the bed with practiced ease, she prepared for what was to come next. Under the influence of the wine, Charlotte's voice took on a sultry tone. "What are you doing?" Luke leaned in with a mischievous smile. "Fulfilling my duties as a husband, of course." Having conceived her children through IVF and later divorced Frank, Charlotte never truly experienced a complete relationship with her ex-husband. His attempts at intimacy always ended in failure, leaving them without a true marital bond. Initially, Charlotte had worried that Luke might judge her for her past, but seeing his dedication and care for her and the children dissolved any such fears. It was only after marrying Luke that Charlotte truly experienced the joys of womanhood. "Wake up, love," Luke, clad only in boxers and holding a glass of milk, stood beside the bed, gazing down at a sleepy Charlotte. Reluctantly, Charlotte pulled the covers back over her head, yearning for a few more moments of sleep. Despite reading online that men over thirty might struggle with vigor, Charlotte found Luke to be an exception. In her experience, Luke was inexhaustible, leaving her thoroughly spent each time. It was only when he saw she couldn't keep up that he would finally relent, otherwise, he seemed capable of going on all night.