"How dare you lay a hand on your cousin? Do you still not realize that you are nobody?" Mateo pointed at the girl with his finger, trembling with rage from not being able to punish Diana severely.
Diana attempted to explain to Mateo what had happened with Susana using signs and gestures, but it was futile; Mateo had learned nothing over all these years.
The man believed that the girl before him was a fool, since so many years had passed and Diana had never spoken a single word.
Blinded by anger, the man grabbed Diana by the shoulders and with a strong tug, pulled her off the bed...
Realizing that the girl was wet and her body was shaking uncontrollably, Mateo released his niece's arms; turning to look at Susana, who wore a smile on her lips.
Susana shrugged insolently, well aware her father would not punish her for what she had done to Diana.
Mateo turned away, letting Diana fall back onto the bed. Only a few hours remained before the girl was to become Edwin's bride, and his foolish daughter had dared to drench her with cold water.
If Diana became ill, his plans would be ruined. His businesses would go bankrupt, and he and every member of his family would be sleeping on the streets.
"Prepare a cup of hot chocolate, give her a piece of warm bread, and take her by the fireplace to warm up... Later, help her get ready with the white dress that one of Edwin's men will bring..."
That was Mateo's order before leaving the room. He grabbed his daughter's arm and shoved her away from Diana's bedroom.
"How dare you do such a foolish thing! Have you lost your mind?"
Mateo shook Susana forcefully. The night before, he'd received a call from his accountant; the hours for his company to disappear were numbered. If he didn't act fast, he'd be sleeping on the streets the next day.
"I hate her! I hate her!" Susana raised her voice.
"I care little if you hate Diana. Right now, we're depending on her marriage to Edwin Shop. If that doesn't happen, we'll be sleeping on the streets."
After saying that, Mateo let go of his daughter's arms. She staggered, nearly falling to the cold floor, and slowly Susana sank to her knees.
Fatima, standing beside her, embraced Susana and helped her to her feet... With Fatima's help, Susana returned to her room. Her body was warmed by her mother until she fell deeply asleep.
After more than an hour, and with the clock striking eleven in the morning, the white dress Diana would wear for her wedding arrived at the Wlop mansion.
Teresa received it and immediately took it to the girl's room. Upon entering, she saw her little girl finishing her hair.
Teresa approached, setting the large box on the bed... Just looking at it, one could tell that the dress inside must be very expensive.
The box alone, on the outside, had gold lettering that read, "This is the dress, from one of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, to be cared for and protected with love"...
"Come, dear!"
"You must see the dress and try it on. If it doesn’t fit, I can adjust it in no time."
Teresa was one of the best seamstresses around, but after giving birth to her son, she left her career to work as a housemaid for a steady salary to support her son.
Diana set aside the comb she was holding. She turned to Teresa, who looked very excited about the dress sent for her wedding.
"It's a beautiful box!" Diana told Teresa through hand gestures.
"Yes, my girl..."
"Now just imagine how beautiful the dress must be on the inside!" Teresa replied.
Diana leaned over the box, opening it. Her hands dove into the box to pull out the dress.
The girl couldn’t believe her eyes. The dress in her hands was truly magnificent, and tears began to softly fall from her cheeks. It was her first time wearing something so fine and elegant.
Since she was a child, Diana had to wear the clothes Susana no longer wanted, and of course, some servants got them before her...
Diana received the things no one else wanted, and now she was the first to wear a dress so beautiful and fine...
Diana hugged it; it was so soft and the fabric so smooth it seemed made of porcelain...
"I am so happy!" Diana's hands couldn’t stop moving.
Like Diana, Teresa was also overjoyed, because at last, Diana would be able to rid herself of that cruel family she had.
"Let's start dressing you. The wedding is at noon, and there's only an hour left."
Diana was immensely happy, her eyes sparkled in a way that had never been seen before.
The girl was excited to finally escape that hell, no matter if it was only to benefit the people who had caused her so much pain over the years.
What could be worse than continuing to live in a house where she had only received humiliation and abuse?
Diana sat in the chair in front of the mirror, while Teresa began to apply makeup to her beautiful face. A bit of foundation concealed any imperfections Diana might have on her skin.
She applied a touch of mascara and a soft pink lipstick to Diana's lips. Teresa did her best with the few resources at her disposal...
Teresa finished preparing Diana, and helped her into the white dress. Diana looked angelic.
One of the servants knocked at the door to inform Diana that Edwin's chauffeur was waiting outside.
"Diana! Mr. Shop's chauffeur is outside waiting for you."
Teresa opened the door, allowing the girl to leave her room. Seeing Diana, the servant was stunned by how beautiful the girl looked.
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