SOME THINGS ARE MEANT TO BE

CHAPTER 72

“Julianna, you’re here to collect the clothes?”

The woman smiled and nodded. “Yes.” There was a faint glow on her face in the frosty wind, and her belly was growing bigger.

“It is such a cold day, and you are still here for collecting.” The woman pitied her fragile frame and sighed. “You are the thinnest pregnant woman I have ever seen. You must take care of yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others and don’t work too hard.”

“It’s alright, I can do it. The baby will arrive soon. I want to save more money to buy her milk powder.” She smiled happily as she looked at her stomach. Her face was in a state of bliss.

“Alright then, give me a minute.” The woman wanted to say more but stopped herself. Finally, she shook her head and went back in.

Nobody knew where she came from, the one who collects clothing. They only knew her name was ‘Julianna’, a pregnant woman who had no one. She usually comes to this area to collect clothing to wash. They pitied her, so they were constantly looking out for her. Even when there was no clothing to be washed, everyone would come up with some in unison. It was a form of unspoken help for her. To put it plainly, everyone owned a washing machine; but they just wanted to give her money for a cause.

After all, they were all women. Such a pitiful woman deserved their sympathy.

The middle-aged woman emerged with a big bundle of clothes in her arms. She passed them over to her.

The younger woman at the door thanked her and then made her way to the other families for collection.

That was Julianna.

A few months ago, she left that city using what little money she had for a bus ticket. She was penniless when she arrived. This was why she stayed in a warehouse and worked as a laundry lady to earn money. Life was tough, but she felt satisfied.

Now, both she and her baby were well. She did not feel lonely because she had her baby.

The frosty wind blew down on her body. Her belly was much bigger as the baby was due soon. She wondered if it was a boy or a girl as she hugged the bundle of clothes tight in her chest. She stopped.

It took her some effort as she bent down at her waist to pick up the newspaper on the stairs. It was a report on an exceptionally extravagant transnational marriage.

She loosened her grip and lowered her long eyelashes slowly as white smoke appeared and vanished. The newspaper fell on the floor again as she gathered the bundle of clothes tightly against her chest once more.

Baby, you are all Mommy wants. That is enough.

The woman’s shadow grew longer under the dim street lights as the corner of the newspaper flipped with the blowing wind. The words on the newspaper stood out clearly from the lighting.

Even though the lights were not very bright.

The transnational wedding ceremony between the CEO of Hanson Company and his fiancé was approaching. It will be held in France.

When Julianna came back the next time, there was a huge bundle of clothing in her arms. It would likely take her the whole night to finish them, but that meant she should be able to provide a better future for her baby.

She would not mistreat her baby, for she would be a good mother.

She lowered her head once more and looked at the newspaper which was lying on the ground from a distance. She smiled. This time, she did not stop. She even stepped on it and left a light footprint.

She returned to the place she was staying, a small and dilapidated warehouse. It was provided by a kind-hearted soul. Otherwise, she would really be begging on the streets—alone, without anyone to depend on, and pregnant.

She put the clothes down. There was a huge basin on the table which used to be placed on the floor. There was no way she could have bent down in her current condition, so it was placed on the table instead. She had painstakingly gathered a few pails of water which she poured into the basin. There was no hot water as she was saving every cent she could for her child, no matter how tough it was for her.

After soaking the clothes, she reached into the basin with her swollen hand filled with blisters. She scrubbed the clothes with one hand; her left hand had no strength at all.

Her left hand was almost crippled.

The cold from the icy water pierced her heart; her face turned paler. However, she continued to wash the clothes in the basin with the same posture. She knew they were sincerely helping her, which was why she should do a better job to repay them. She knew very well who had treated her kindly and who hadn’t.

It was already midnight when she finally hung the last piece of clothing. She rubbed her back carefully and put her hand on her face, only putting it on her belly after it was warmer.

“Baby, you have been exceptionally well-behaved today.” She caressed with care as she felt a slight movement from the child inside her, kicking with its hand or foot. She smiled and sat on the worn-out wooden bed.

“I wonder if you are a boy or a girl.”

“Mommy wished you were a boy.” As soon as she finished, the baby started moving in her stomach again. “Haha.” She covered herself with the blanket, her hand remaining on her belly. “Are you angry with Mommy? Actually, Mommy would be happier if you were a girl.”

She shifted her hand to her calf. Her legs were swollen, and she rubbed them gently. At times, there would be cramps over a long period of time. When that happened and she was in pain, she would rub her legs to make them feel better.

Being pregnant with a baby was harder than she thought. She had vomited till she was half-dead or went without a meal for days due to loss of appetite and almost died from a high fever there.

Now, everything was over, and her baby was arriving soon.

She clutched the blanket tight. No matter how tough it was, she was determined to deliver the baby safe and sound. No one could take her baby’s life away, not even her.

Her child was her only ray of hope. Without the baby, Julianna could have been dead a long time ago. She knew clearly that she had responsibilities as a mother.

She closed her eyes; she could sleep well. Although the bed was not soft enough and the pillow slightly hard, with her baby around, Julianna could also be happy.

The clothes should be dry by tomorrow.

At the same time, in the Hanson mansion...

A man stood by the window. His fingertips were almost burnt by the cigarette, and he put it out in a hurry before throwing it away.

He glanced back, and everything looked so different—filled with Ruby’s favorite colors. She had decorated it in the way she liked.

A set of the day’s newspapers lay on the table. It had deliberately publicized the transnational wedding ceremony. He walked over and put the newspaper on his lap. Time really flew. It was almost a year since that woman left, seemingly vanishing from his world.

She should have seen this—saw how happy he was with another woman. She would be in agony.

That was what he always wanted; her in agony.

He did not know why he was being so insistent. By thinking of ways to torture her, he was also torturing himself. He realized he had never forgotten her: her face was constantly on his mind, and he wanted to crush her so badly.

He was not done hating her. Not yet. He threw the newspaper down and sat on the sofa as his tensed muscles began to relax against its softness.

When he closed his eyes, he dreamed but could not remember what it was. The corner of his lips curled up; he had no idea when he had last smiled.

A ringing sound erupted from the phone, and he opened his eyes gradually. The smile was lost as he flipped his mobile phone open and placed it on his ear.

“Diego, our suits and gowns have arrived. When are we going in for a fitting?” It was Ruby’s sweet voice from the other end.

“Tomorrow. I still have some work to do today.”

“Okay. I’ll wait for you, and...” Her sweet voice is smooth like the flowing water. “Diego, I love you. I really do.”

Diego mouthed. “I love you, too.” He hung up. It was an easy and routine reply. No one would be able to tell if he had replied truthfully.

He closed his eyes again as he leaned into the sofa quietly. There was no work to be done; he just wanted some peace.