Claiming His Right

Gwen went to visit Sienna at her home, bringing along a feast of Hans's favorite comfort foods.

"Sienna, I'm so sorry my home is so messy and small. I feel embarrassed hosting you like this." The real Sienna bustled about nervously, preparing a drink for Gwen.

Gwen smiled warmly. "Are you comfortable living here?"

"Yes, of course I am. Even though it's small and very humble, I love staying here because my husband is here," Sienna replied contentedly.

"Your husband is a good man, isn't he?" Gwen asked again.

Instantly, a soft blush spread across Sienna's cheeks.

"Yes, Hans always treats me with such tenderness and care."

Gwen swallowed hard, feeling a bitter sting at Sienna's answer.

"Does your husband ever get angry?"

Sienna shook her head. "Forget getting angry—he doesn't even raise his voice at me."

"Do you love him?" Gwen felt an overwhelming wave of jealousy.

"Sienna, what kind of wife doesn't love her husband?"

"But your husband isn't wealthy. He's just a construction worker. Are you truly happy?" Gwen asked, genuinely curious. The woman standing before her was just an ordinary Sienna now, yet her face was bright with gentle serenity and an effortless smile.

In the past, Gwen had only ever seen wealthy people wear expressions of subtle arrogance, even when they managed to appear kind and elegant.

"Happiness means something different to everyone, Sienna. If you view material wealth as the sole source of joy, then to me, happiness is a husband who is attentive and deeply loving. Hans is also a devout man of faith who never skips his prayers, and that's what matters most, he guides our family. If Hans and I are living modestly right now, we simply see it as a test from God."

Sienna's answer left Gwen completely stunned. During all her time beside Jeff, she had never seen him pray even once. Gwen suddenly missed Hans terribly. She missed the man who had always been patient and loyal, enduring her constant mood swings with grace.

Gwen smiled at Sienna. 'You can have my husband for now, Sienna. But don't get comfortable. I'm going to take him right back from you!' Gwen vowed silently.

"Let's go grab some beef stew at my friend's diner sometime!" Gwen invited.

"Oh, I actually don't care for rich meat stews, Sienna!" Sienna admitted.

Gwen suddenly remembered her encounter at the restaurant with Damian. "Oh, right! You're semi-vegetarian. How about I take you to a lovely restaurant with delicious dishes you'd actually enjoy? They serve an incredible vegetable stir-fry!"

"Oh, really? Now, vegetables are something I absolutely love, Sienna."

"So it's a date!"

"Um, Sienna, why are you being so kind to me?" Sienna asked, curious as to why Gwen had suddenly grown so close and affectionate toward her.

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm nice to everyone! Including you. But when it comes to you specifically, I like you because you're genuine and sweet. Most of the people around me are two-faced. They only treat me well when they want something from me." Gwen pouted dismissively.

"Ah, surely it's not that bad, Sienna?"

"You have no idea! Especially the neighbors who constantly gather outside Husna's shop—so many of them borrow money and then play hard to get when it's time to pay it back. It gives me a massive headache."

"Oh, so a lot of people borrow money from you?" Sienna asked softly.

Gwen nodded. "Speaking of which your mother-in-law is really kind, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. She doesn't feel like a mother-in-law at all, she feels like my own mother. Whenever I visit her house, I can just kick back and relax like I'm back in my childhood home, completely spoiled. Even though she knows I come from a poor background, she has never been cold or treated me any differently from her other daughters-in-law. It breaks my heart that she lives all by herself." Sienna's tone turned somber toward the end.

Gwen let out a heavy sigh. She had to admit that Hannah was indeed a wonderful mother-in-law.

"Treasure your mother-in-law. Make sure to visit her often," Gwen said with a trace of gloom.

"Um, Mrs. Susan seems lovely too, Sienna. She appears to care about you and love you deeply."

Gwen let out a cynical laugh. "It's all just on the surface. In reality, I'm treated like a glorified maid in that giant mansion," Gwen complained, suddenly feeling the urge to vent.

"Wait, really?" Sienna looked genuinely shocked.

"That's why I'm telling you—cherish your mother-in-law." 'While you're still Mrs. Hannah's daughter-in-law,' Gwen added inwardly.

Sienna nodded understandingly.

"Let's go hang out!" Gwen urged.

"Hang out?" Sienna blinked in confusion.

"Let's go shopping! I don't really have any friends, so I'm taking you with me!"

"I should probably ask Hans for permission first."

"We'll swing by your husband's construction site so you can ask him," Gwen suggested.

Sienna agreed, quickly stepping inside to change her clothes.

Just as Sienna was hopping onto Gwen's motor scooter, Daisy walked up.

"Woah, where are you two headed?" Daisy asked in disbelief.

Naturally, Daisy was stunned to see Gwen acting so friendly with Sienna, someone she used to dislike.

"Well, look at you two getting along for once!" Daisy remarked playfully.

Gwen rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"I'm just riding along to Hans's work site, Daisy!" Sienna replied, keeping quiet about their shopping plans.

With the small talk out of the way, Gwen hit the accelerator and zoomed off toward Hans's workplace.

Hans was visibly stunned when Gwen and Sienna showed up together asking for permission to go out. He granted it, though in his heart he couldn't help but wonder why Gwen had suddenly grown so close to Sienna.

"Staring into space there, Hans!" Bastian slapped Hans on the shoulder.

"I've been so confused these past few days, Bas!"

"Confused about what?" Bastian brewed some instant coffee, using the empty plastic wrapper as a makeshift stirring spoon.

"My wife. She's completely changed!"

"Changed how? Gwen? I mean, it's rare to see her wearing such long, flowing clothes today, usually your wife wears pretty revealing outfits," Bastian chuckled.

"That's just it! It's not just her clothes that changed, her whole personality did too. She's become so much softer, more attentive, and she's always smiling," Hans said, his brows knit tightly.

"Was she usually snappy and quick to anger?" Bastian asked.

"What wife has the patience to stick around through hard times without complaining, Bas?" Hans said, a heavy cloud hanging over his face.

"Plenty! If she's either clueless or head over heels hopelessly whipped!" Bastian laughed out loud before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Then what do you call my wife right now? She's become so patient and loving toward me, but the whole thing just feels strange."

"What's wrong with you, man! Your wife turns into an angel and you're getting stressed out over it? You should be thrilled!" Bastian snickered.

"I mean, I am happy, but I'm also baffled. How does someone change literally overnight? It's like she's not the same Gwen anymore. She even prays regularly now and gets up way earlier than I do."

"Hans, my man, that just means your wife saw the light!" Bastian clapped him on the back.

Hans had found it rather odd seeing the real Gwen wearing a bright red dress earlier, red was his wife's absolute favorite color. He felt as if Gwen and Sienna had somehow swapped personalities ever since Sienna started acting so sweet and warm toward his little family.

"Lately, my wife prefers modest, loose-fitting clothes in muted colors. She even complained about why there were so many revealing clothes in her wardrobe, even though those were the exact everyday clothes she used to wear." Hans recalled the sharp contrasts in her behavior.

"Ah, don't overthink it, Hans. It's better that she covers up. Honestly, if Gwen kept walking around looking that attractive, it'd be a hazard to your marriage. Some guy with deep pockets out there might try to sweep her off her feet—especially since you're just a construction worker with no big promotions in sight!" Bastian reasoned.

"I suppose you have a point. But still, why do I actually miss her nagging, Bas?"

Bastian shook his head in utter disbelief. "Your wife turns gentle and you miss her nagging? You're out of your mind, Hans!"

Suddenly, a thought crossed Hans's mind. Tonight, he would invite Gwen to share an intimate night together as husband and wife. It had been a very long time since he had dared to ask. Now that his wife had become so kind and tender, Hans was going to try and ask for the one thing he had missed for so long, spending a long, passionate night with her in his arms.