Time and Destiny

After a passionate, steamy night, Rebecca felt the man beside her rise from the bed and enter the bathroom. She lay motionless, utterly drained and unable to move.

The sound of water flowing could be heard coming from the bathroom. Rebecca forced her eyes open and glanced at the clothes scattered all around the floor. The fresh memory of the night’s activities surfaced in her mind, and she instinctively clutched the blanket as her cheeks blushed crimson.

She and Edward....

Since they were young, both of them had been betrothed to each other by their respective families. But over the last few months, Edward’s behaviour had changed. He grew distant, treating her with cold indifference as if she had upset him somehow. Yet, no matter how many times she asked, he never gave an explanation.

After his car accident, during which she stayed by his side for three months, nursing him back to health, that was when his attitude toward her had changed a little.

Now that they had consummated their relationship, he was going to take responsibility and marry her, wasn’t he?

She couldn't help but tremble in excitement at the thought; her eyes twinkled with happiness.

As she was lost in her thoughts, the door of the bathroom suddenly opened, and the man came out leisurely; Rebecca looked over.

He had tied a towel around his hips, revealing his sexy, sculpted chest. His body was still covered in water droplets, and he looked mesmerizing.

Even though they had already consummated their relationship, Rebecca yet felt impossible to look straight at his face. She was shy.

However, she noticed Edward was giving her cold shoulder as he walked past her and grabbed his clothes from the floor. He put on his clothes unhurriedly.

Rebecca tightened her fist around the sheet, a nervousness crossed her eyes. She took a deep breath and began, "Ed...."

Rebecca bit her lower lips and felt impossible to voice out her thoughts. In contrast, Edward was indifferent as if he did not care about Rebecca or the night they had spent. Rebecca was disheartened, but she quickly collected herself and continued, "Since we have already done it, don't you think."

Edward finished buttoning up the suit and turned around at Rebecca. He lifted his eyebrows and rested his eyes on her. He was silent and cold which caused Rebecca's nerves to rattle. His unresponsiveness was cruel for Rebecca to tolerate. She was about to open her mouth again, but Edward's voice interfered, "Done it? Done what?"

Rebecca froze in shock.

What was that supposed to mean? They had spent such a night together. Was not he thinking of marrying her? The thoughts plummeted heavy on her heart.

Edward saw the blank look in Rebecca's eyes, and the meaning dawned on him, causing his lips to twitch. He said sarcastically and crudely, “You voluntarily threw yourself into my arms and gave me your virginity. And now you’re telling me that you want me to take responsibility for you?”

His words crashed like thunder in Rebecca's brain, momentarily causing her to zone out. A chill ran down her spine. Blood drained from her face as her hand trembled.

Though it was true she took the initiative to kiss him under the influence of Alcohol, he did not stop her advances. Now, how could he say that she threw herself into his arms voluntarily? She loved him! She cherished the night she had spent with him.

But to Edward, it was just a mere night with a girl.

All these thoughts were extremely painful for Rebecca to settle. She stared at Edward with baffled eyes as her thoughts killed her inside of her head, 'Everything had been fine. Why did he suddenly become so cold? Why was he saying such cruel things? Had she done something wrong?'

Edward took a step forward, got his phone from the bedside table, and said, "I will give you an answer later because right now I have very important work to do." And Edward turned around and headed toward the door. He opened the door to leave, but stopped and looked over his shoulder, saying, "I was always clear about my feelings." And stepped out, closing the door behind him, leaving Rebecca alone in the room.

The tears in her eyes rolled out, and her breath stuck to her throat. Rebecca couldn't believe that the person she loved had just walked out, saying he was clear about his feelings.



Rebecca waited for a week to get a call from Edward. She kept convincing herself that he must have been upset that morning and just needed some time to think. Any moment now, he would surely reach out to her.

However, she got a call from Edward's assistant, who said, "Miss Rebecca, I know it is not appropriate for me to say, but I have to deliver the message as instructed by my boss.”

Ummm.." the assistant's voice showed strong hesitation.

Rebecca was holding her breath. Sweat formed on her forehead and she asked, "I hope it is not that bad."

"Well, he wanted to break off the engagement, and he would compensate your family," the assistant said, and it was enough to shut Rebecca.

After the call was disconnected, Rebecca sat on the couch, dumbfounded. Her face slowly turned white.

Her father saw her expression, and asked matter-of-factly, “Sweetheart, was that Ed on the line? What did he say? Is there going to be a wedding soon?”

Her mother looked at her expectantly from the side, waiting for her reply.

"Is there going to be a wedding soon?" she asked.

Their question broke Rebecca out of her stupor, and she met her parent's eyes as she trembled violently.

The news of her spending a night with Edward spread like wildfire. As a result, she and her family were hoping that Edward would agree to this marriage. Now what? She would become a laughing stock to the world.

"For God's sake, Rebecca, say something!"

"He broke off the engagement. He doesn't want to marry me," Rebecca said through shaky breath, her eyes brimming with tears as she grabbled with the pain she had never known.

On the contrary, Rebecca's mother was unable to process the information and fell to the ground in shock, fainting from the devastating news.