SOME THINGS ARE MEANT TO BE

CHAPTER 73

The wedding ceremony was held on schedule. Many people came on that day to admire the newlywed couple; everyone envied the bride.

“The second wedding was even better than the first. It seemed that Hanson’s son was really in love with his bride!” Where there were women, there would be noise and—of course—gossip.

“Yeah. I remember attending the first one. At that time, that woman’s thigh was exposed in front of so many people.” Another woman covered her mouth as she giggled.

“She might have done it on purpose. Isn’t that Julianna a slut? There’s nothing strange about that,” said another, sourly. Even that kind of woman was able to marry Diego. Why couldn’t they have the same fortunate fate? Life was so unfair.

Before she could finish, she felt an icy stare all of a sudden; and she cowered. What was that? How could it be so terrifying?

When she turned around, she saw that man. She took a step back.

Diego, the most unforgiving man.

That woman gave a hollow laugh and lowered her head as she continued to retreat. It was as though Diego could swallow a human whole. He had a handsome face, but it always looked terrifying to others.

“Diego, let’s go.” Ruby, dressed in a white bridal gown, came over and put her arm around Diego’s elbow. She had been searching for him for ages, and here he was, looking annoyed.

Diego looked down at his bride who was beside him. In a blur, he recalled another woman who had married him. It seemed like it was only yesterday. Yet, at the same time, it felt like a lifetime ago—even a previous life. Everything had changed.

“Let’s go.” He ran his arm around Ruby’s waist. From now on, she would be his wife. One he would love and care for. No cruelty or ruthlessness.

They had a really grand ceremony, as though Diego was declaring how much he loved his bride to the world. He made Ruby the happiest woman in the world by giving her everything he could.

Everything, including what he took from that woman.

There was quite a heavy downpour at night. It gave the lightly-colored room a romantic feel. Ruby lay anxiously on their bed, her heart pumping. They might have been engaged for about a year, but the level of their intimacy was limited to kissing. Diego did not seem to have much interest in this aspect. Besides the initial passion, the latter part of their relationship was quite plain.

Tonight was their wedding night. After tonight, she will be his woman. She felt abashed at the thought.

She blushed. After all, she had been chaste all her life. This would be a first for her.

Diego emerged with a towel around him, water droplets dripping from his hair. He put the towel down and looked at Ruby, his bride, dazedly. However, he seemed distracted, and he wondered why—until he started to see Ruby’s face changed into Julianna.

It was all fun, everyone had enough to eat and drink. Afterwards, the couple returned to the villa with his new wife.

....

“Diego...” Ruby smiled shyly. Diego returned to his senses and moved closer. He sat on the bedside and placed his fingers gently on Ruby’s face. His movement is light as a feather.

Ruby’s heart went numb suddenly.

“Diego, I am afraid.” She blushed, not daring to look at him. He lowered his head, eyes dark and deep, and kissed her on the lips. It still didn’t have the taste that he wanted—not overwhelming. It felt like water, tasteless. He could afford to be patient. It was his responsibility.

Even to have s*x with another woman.

“Don’t be. I will be gentle.” He felt tender and protective towards her. Naturally, his actions were exceptionally gentle.

The two bodies gradually overlapped each other in the beautiful room, with their clothes lying all over the floor. The rain constantly beat on the window outside, splashing and causing ripples on the window.

At another location...

There was no warm or romantic lighting. Julianna clutched at her blanket tightly on the simple and worn-out bed. Her lips were bloodied from all her biting.

She whimpered softly as her belly was hit by waves of contraction. She knew the baby was coming. No one even knew that she was giving birth to her baby here.

She had no one to turn to. She could only depend on herself.

“Ah...” Another suppressed cry. Beads of sweat flowed down her forehead, her face paled, and she was fainting from the sharp pain in her belly. Something fluid flowed out of her lower body, and she knew the amniotic fluid had broken. She kept shaking her head from the intense pain. She could not go on like this, or else her baby could be stillborn... and she could die.

She had suffered, toiled, and waited for so long. How could she let this happen before her baby had even seen the sunrise or breathed the outside air? How?

The rain continued to pour, and the wind blew in through the little window as Julianna bit on the blanket. Her face was white, and beads of sweat the size of beans fell from her face.