Avelina, well aware of what she meant, nodded, snuggling into her warm hands.
"I know, mama, but I couldn't help it. This man is everything I could ever ask for. He is perfection itself, and he'd treated me so much better than anyone would have ever treated me."
"You do not know this man, mama, so you cannot understand what I am trying to say."
"You are wrong." Annette laughed, amused. "I have once been deeply in love, but you see, I was not allowed to be with him. You do know your father and I's marriage is an arranged one, right?"
Avelina nodded. "Mhm, I do."
Annette caressed her cheek. "We can't always have what we want, and you just have to understand that. At least, for your own safety."
"You are back now, and I will do my best to take care of you and keep you safe. Your father mustn't know about any of this, do you understand? Keep it a secret between you and me."
