Love’s Unexpected Arrival The Bride Who Came Knocking by Rochelle

Chapter 1 She Loses Her Virginity

A rain in the fall always brought a chill. There had just been a light drizzle, and a shiver ran up Maria Nolan’s spine from the soles of her feet. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and descended the riverbank. The wind by the riverside tousled her hair, and her eyes welled up uncontrollably. She thought, “No stranger in this world can cause hurt. Only those one cares for can inflict it because one has invested and dedicated their emotions without reservation. “Three years are a long time, aren’t they? I should have moved on, shouldn’t I? I thought I wouldn’t be in pain for long after making that decision. I believed that if I shut down my emotions, my heart wouldn’t ache anymore. But it turns out I was deceiving myself. “His face is still as handsome as ever in the headlines. Three years have left no visible mark on him. If there is any change, it’s that his presence has grown more imposing, and his countenance has turned colder. “Due to my decision, over the past three years, Mom’s abuse and humiliation of me have only intensified. “I’m exhausted. I’m so tired. My work is exhausting, my life is exhausting, and my home exhausts me even more. It seems I am a woman unwelcome wherever I go.” She couldn’t help but offer a bitter smile. The sky darkened once more. It seemed like another bout of rain was on its way. Maria let out a soft sigh and quickened her pace. Her car was parked not far away. Suddenly, a sound echoed. A man collapsed in front of her. She furrowed her brows and looked down at him, wondering, “Did I hit him? I don’t think so. Then why is he on the ground? Is he trying to scam me? “That can’t be. His attire is very fine and expensive.” She bent down and tentatively nudged the man on the ground. “Are you okay?” She heard only his labored breathing. “Sir, what’s wrong with you? Are you all right?” she inquired, her brow furrowed. She thought, “Perhaps he’s suddenly taken ill and couldn’t manage, so he collapsed.” “Sir? Sir!” Maria raised her voice slightly and nudged the man on the ground once more. His breaths grew more pronounced and strained. It sounded like he was severely unwell, in the throes of some urgent ailment. She hurriedly fished out her phone and was about to dial for an ambulance. Suddenly, a strong hand grasped her wrist. Her wrist throbbed, and she dropped her phone. She frowned at the hand’s owner, who appeared unwell, still breathing heavily and perspiring profusely. “Sir, you seem seriously ill. I’ll take you to the hospital!” she declared, hoisting him up from the ground resolutely. The man leaned on her, looking visibly uncomfortable. “Hang in there. My car is right there. I can get you to the hospital in no time!” Maria stated as she struggled to carry the man to her car. He was truly weighty. Maria grappled with getting the man in front of the car. She heaved a long breath, opened the door, and maneuvered the man into the backseat. She rose to shut the door when a large hand clasped her wrist again, and she stumbled unsteadily, falling onto him. Her chilled lips brushed against his face, and in the next second, the man’s breathing grew even heavier than before. Flustered, she peered at the man, only to be met with a pair of intense eyes. Startled, she tried to push him away, but it was too late. It was as though in the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a beast, impervious to her punches and kicks. The riverside breeze was chilly, and the cold seeped into Maria’s heart. Today, she lost her virginity, her most treasured possession. And today, her beloved’s engagement made the headlines! A resounding slap resounded in the back of the car. Maria’s eyes blazed with fury. Glaring at the man, she gritted her teeth and uttered, “Rot in hell, you scum!” She kicked the man hard, and his body slid out of the car door, crashing to the ground. Maria didn’t spare him a glance. She hastily exited the car, trembling as she fumbled to open the driver’s door, and sped away frantically. She mused, “Luckily, it’s autumn, and I have a coat. I must look so disheveled right now. I can’t even bear to look at myself in the rearview mirror. “When one’s luck is down, nothing seems satisfactory. What on earth just happened? The man appeared out of nowhere. Wasn’t he ill? Wasn’t he on the brink of death? How did he suddenly become so energetic and robust? “I must be insane to worry about whether a passerby is dead or alive. “I knew this day would come sooner or later, yet I still feel so despondent. Thinking about his face in the headlines only worsens my mood.” As she drove, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.