Chapter 7

"What? A party? What do you mean?" The woman on the other end of the phone sounded surprised, just like Dona. At first, Dona felt happy. If Mrs. Emma Rodriguez came back to the house, she would gain power and take Mia’s place. That was what Mrs. Emma had promised her.

"S-so, you don’t know about it, Ma’am?"

"I have no idea what you’re talking about. Explain yourself, Dona!" Mrs. Emma snapped. Dona told her everything she had heard and seen.

"Okay, Dona, listen! Quickly find out what’s happening there and report back to me, understand?"

"Y-yes, Ma’am."

After she hung up with Dona, Emma paced on her balcony. The lack of clear information bothered her. What was really happening at the Rodriguez house? Was that disabled man planning a party? What kind of party could it be? A death party?

"Diego, Diego. You’re about to die tomorrow, and you’re still thinking about a party."

Emma muttered as she thought. "And who did Dona mean by Mrs. Rodriguez? Is that crippled man getting married? But that’s impossible. He’s supposed to die tomorrow, so why would he get married?"

Emma fell silent and stared into the distance. She thought the maid was foolish and couldn’t be trusted. Emma decided she would have to find out for herself what was happening at the Rodriguez house.

"Oh darling, there you are."

A man immediately hugged Emma from behind and began kissing her neck passionately.

"Pedro, I have to return to Barcelona today," Emma said, trying to hold back a moan from his touch, which always excited her.

Pedro paused and looked at the woman, who was thirty-five and had been his lover for the past few months.

"What? Now? Oh no, baby, I still miss you so much." Pedro kissed Emma’s lips, then picked her up and carried her back to bed.

"Pedro, please listen to me first, darling," Emma gasped. He stopped kissing her, lifted his head, and looked at her.

"I have to go back there to make sure of everything. Earlier, that foolish maid said something was happening, so I need to check it myself. Believe me, darling, once that crippled man is dead, all his wealth will be mine. We can have as much fun as we want. I’ll even buy this island if you want."

Emma spoke with excitement as she stroked his face. Pedro only grunted in annoyance.

"But how much longer, baby?"

"It won’t be much longer, darling. I’ve heard that the disabled man won’t live more than a month."

Emma smiled, her eyes full of seduction, making Pedro want her even more. He started kissing her again with passion. His lips and hands explored her, making her moan with pleasure. They finished making love before Emma returned to the Rodriguez house.

Meanwhile, Elena was getting ready to become a bride. A professional makeup artist worked on her. Elena felt a bit anxious. Even though this wasn’t her first marriage, she couldn’t help feeling nervous, especially since this wedding was so unexpected.

Elena had never imagined this would happen. She had run away from the Mendez house with no plan after her first marriage ended. Now, she was about to get married again.

Even now, Elena was still confused about Diego. Why had this wealthy man chosen her to be his wife? It would be easy for a rich man to marry anyone he wanted, so why pick Elena, a homeless woman he found on the street?

After a while, Elena’s makeup was done. She had become a beautiful and elegant woman, dressed in a white wedding gown that fit her perfectly.

"Dios mío! You look stunning, Ma’am," the makeup artist exclaimed in awe.

"Thank you," Elena replied with a gentle smile. Soon after, Mia came in and was amazed by how beautiful Elena looked in her wedding dress.

"Come, Ma’am, Mr.Rodriguez is waiting," Mia said, smiling as she offered her hand to guide Elena.

Elena walked slowly next to Mia, her hand cold from nerves. She held Mia’s hand tightly, and Mia could feel how anxious she was.

"Relax, Elena, everything will be alright," Mia whispered, trying to calm the young woman who would soon become Mrs. Rodriguez. Elena nodded and took a deep breath to steady herself.

Out front, Diego was ready too. He wore a white suit and looked handsome and dignified, even as he sat in his wheelchair with Mario beside him.

The maids lined up, bowing their heads as Elena passed through the main hall. Yet they couldn’t help but notice the bride's radiant beauty.

Unnoticed by anyone, someone quietly slipped out of the room.