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

Chapter 2 Are You Drunk?

Maria parked in front of an abandoned clothing store. She thought, “No matter how despondent I feel, I have to compose myself before going back, or Mom will unleash her venom again. “For the past three years, my home has been a battlefield. I have to endure Mom’s endless tirades every single day.” Weary, Maria returned home, opened the door, and was about to change her shoes. Siena Hudson cursed, “So, you remember you have a home, Maria? You actually remember the way back? Where were you all afternoon? I thought you got hit by a car just like your damn father.” “Mom…” “You know I’m your mom? Do you see me as your mom? I told you to get married soon, but you just wouldn’t listen to me. And now, you’ve even started fooling around. What’s the matter? Are you that desperate? You’re determined to let yourself go to waste, aren’t you?” “Mom…” “Don’t call me that. I’m not your mom! I don’t have a daughter like you!” Siena spat out in anger. Maria fell silent, let out a deep sigh, retreated to her room, and collapsed wearily on the bed. Siena was still ranting in the kitchen, “You’re so useless! Other girls either get a good job or marry a decent man after college so that their families can live comfortably. And you? You don’t have a good job, and you earn so little each month. I have to watch my spending when I go grocery shopping, and Tyler and I have to make do with the cheapest electric car. The house we live in is small, and we can only afford to rent it. You’re 24 and still not married. Are you going to let me support you forever? Why is my life so hard?” Maria couldn’t bear to listen anymore and buried her head under a pillow. Scarlett Barlow, her friend, had suggested that she rent a single room and move out, but she hesitated. Partly because her salary wasn’t high, and partly because Siena, her mother, and Tyler Nolan, her brother, were her only family. However, Siena’s verbal abuse had become increasingly harsh and often downright cutting. Last month, at the dinner table, Siena had remarked, “Maria, tell me. When are you going to get married? You’re 24 already. Do you still think you’re that attractive? What do you have? I don’t care who you date. Just get married as soon as possible to any man who can afford the betrothal gifts. Do you think you can demand betrothal gifts if you grow any older?” It was always about money. In a relatively good mood, Maria had broached the subject tentatively, asking Siena how much money she wanted for the betrothal gifts. Maria had calculated that she could save some money, borrow some from Scarlett, arrange a fake marriage, and then move out legitimately. Yet Siena had demanded at least 160 thousand dollars, an amount beyond Maria’s reach. Maria couldn’t help but recall the check from three years ago. It was worth 850 thousand dollars, and she had donated it all to a charity because she didn’t want her love to be tainted by the money. Since then, Siena had regarded her as an adversary, subjecting her to ceaseless humiliation and verbal attacks. Maria wondered if she had made a mistake. Hawk Cullen was in his CEO office at the Cullen Group. Luke Shaw entered with a stack of papers for Hawk’s signature. Upon seeing Hawk, Luke couldn’t help but observe him. Hawk wore a stern expression and spoke in a cold tone, “Have you seen it?” Hawk pondered, “That woman was heartless. She tossed me out of the car like that, leaving two bruises on my face. What would people think if I explained that it was a cat scratch?” While pondering, his expression grew even more severe. Luke coughed and briefed Hawk about his afternoon schedule. “There’s a strategic planning meeting at 1:00 p.m. that requires your presence. You have a meeting with Mr. White at 2:00 p.m. And at 4:00 p.m…” “Cancel the meeting with Jason,” Hawk instructed, aware that the individual Luke referred to was Jason White. Luke nodded. “Understood, Mr. Cullen. Is it because of your face?” Hawk glanced up at Luke, shooting daggers with his eyes. “Well… Mr. Cullen, I’ll get back to work,” Luke said hastily and scurried away. Hawk looked down to sign the documents, and his phone rang. It was Keith Gray. Hawk thought, smiling coldly, “It seems that the thing I’ve trusted him with has got some results. Keith is indeed efficient. “Whoever it is better be prepared to take my wrath.” He strode out of the office and drove to the Gray’s place himself. A harsh sound rang out. Hawk slammed on the brakes, frowning and thinking, “How come she is here? How come she isn’t walking at the zebra crossing? Does she want to die? “She wants to die, just because she lost her virginity? “Does virginity mean that much to her? I don’t get it.” Maria was already walking away, her head wobbling, her step a little unsteady. Hawk opened the car door and strode toward her, holding her back, his voice slightly cold. He said, “What’s wrong with you?” Maria shook her head, feeling her eyelids heavy. She opened her eyes hard and saw the man in front of her. Then she pointed her index finger at him with an angry look on her face while cursing, “You piece of shit!” “Are you drunk?” Hawk frowned again and sniffed, but there was no smell of alcohol. Maria’s body went limp, and he subconsciously caught it. “Wake up!” He shook Maria in his arms and realized that she was burning. She was running a fever. He quickly put Maria in the back of his car and drove to the hospital. He thought, “She has a fever. It’s not because of our intense sex yesterday, is it?” The car was very quiet. He looked into the back of the car and saw Maria, her face flushed, lying peacefully in the spacious back seat, seemingly asleep.