Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 120

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**

**Chapter 120: The Test That Broke the Lie**

After what felt like an eternity of chaos, Adriana finally found herself immersed in a rare moment of tranquility. The last few days had been blissfully quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had consumed her life.

“Why isn’t my period here yet…” she murmured to herself, a frown creasing her brow as she pressed her hand against her lower abdomen, feeling a sharp, unwelcome pang. Panic coursed through her veins, and she dashed towards the bathroom, urgency propelling her forward.

If she wasn’t pregnant, then surely, she should have started her cycle by now.

Once she had finished in the bathroom, her heart dropped as she caught sight of a faint streak of blood on the tissue. Relief washed over her momentarily, but it was quickly overshadowed by a heavy weight in her chest. So, it was true—she really wasn’t pregnant after all.

With a resigned sigh, she reached for a pad and prepared herself to face the world outside. She had made a promise to Belinda, and shopping was on the agenda.

As she made her way down the stairs, Eva’s face appeared, etched with worry. “Adriana,” she called, her voice laced with unease. Her eyes flitted nervously, as if searching for something that wasn’t there. “Where are you off to?”

“I’m going out with Belinda,” Adriana replied, her tone straightforward, yet there was a hint of apprehension in her heart.

Eva paused, the silence stretching between them, a palpable tension hanging in the air. “Mr. Lincoln has gone on a business trip to Hillcrest City. He’ll be away for at least two weeks. Just… be careful. Don’t stray too far,” she advised, her concern evident.

“I know, Eva,” Adriana nodded, trying to reassure her.

Then, as if the weight of the world had finally pressed down on her, Eva blurted out, “Mr. Harold came to Haldoria. He didn’t tell anyone.”

Adriana felt her chest constrict. Harold had arrived while Curtis was away?

He was here to ascertain whether Adriana was genuinely carrying the Lincoln family’s heir.

Her heart raced at the thought. “He came himself?” she whispered, incredulous.

“It was Danielle,” Eva continued, her voice rising with indignation. “She ran straight to Mr. Harold, claiming that you’re not pregnant.”

Adriana clenched her fists, the anger bubbling within her. Harold was clearly seeking the truth, and if he discovered that she wasn’t pregnant, he would undoubtedly push for her to leave.

What if he insisted on a divorce? How long could she and Curtis withstand that pressure?

Taking a deep breath, she lowered her gaze, the weight of her reality crashing down on her. “I understand,” she replied softly.

Eva frowned, her worry deepening. “Adriana, please, just tell me the truth. Are you pregnant or not?”

Deep down, Eva yearned for the answer to be yes. The old belief that a woman’s value increased with motherhood lingered in her mind, a relic of their upbringing.

Adriana shook her head slowly, determination setting in.

She couldn’t bring herself to lie. The truth was, she was not pregnant.

Eva sighed heavily, a sound filled with disappointment. “Oh dear…”

Their web of lies was on the verge of unraveling.

As she settled into the car, Eva rushed outside, panic etched on her features. She slapped her thigh in frustration, her mind racing. Without a second thought, she decided to call Curtis, fully aware that it might cost her job.

“Mr. Lincoln,” she gasped, breathless and frantic, “Mr. Harold has shown up in Haldoria while you’re away. He’s taken Adriana with him, and Nicole is there too!”

Memories flooded back of the time Adriana had defended her, even going so far as to slap Nicole for her sake.

Eva couldn’t just stand idly by now.

“I understand. I’ll send someone,” Curtis replied, his voice steady, though she could sense the urgency behind it before he hung up.

Harold could no longer contain his frustration. It was evident that the Bartons had been orchestrating this from behind the scenes.

At Haldoria Hospital, Nicole smirked at Adriana, who remained stubbornly seated in the car. “Still playing pretend? Your little fantasy of being Mrs. Lincoln is about to shatter. I can hardly wait to see how you cope once the truth is out.”

Adriana felt her face drain of color, her lips raw from biting them in anxiety.

Was this truly how it would end? Her lies laid bare, forced to walk away from Curtis forever?

“Get out,” Harold barked, refusing the wheelchair his aide offered, standing tall and unyielding.

With no other option, Adriana stepped out, her heart racing. “Grandpa, why are you doing this? He’s your grandson. Don’t you want him to be happy? Why do you insist on controlling who he marries?”