Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 165

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

**Chapter 165: Insane Matthew**

“Curtis, do you think I can share this on Instagram?” she inquired, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm, a hint of mischief dancing in her tone.

Curtis, perched beside her, leaned against the balcony railing, his gaze lost in the rhythmic dance of the waves below. “You don’t need my permission,” he replied, his eyes still fixated on the horizon. “Just do what makes you happy.”

Adriana felt a thrill rush through her as she leaned in, her shoulder gently brushing against his arm, a silent invitation. “Then let’s capture this moment together,” she suggested, her voice soft, almost a whisper.

As Curtis turned his head, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. It was a small victory, but it felt monumental.

In that instant, she yearned to preserve everything: his face, the warmth radiating from him, the serene silence that enveloped them like a comforting blanket.

She wanted tangible proof that this moment was real, a safeguard against the day when everything might unravel.

“Alright then,” he finally conceded, a hint of a smile lingering. “Let’s do it.”

He had never denied her anything. Not once.

His kindness wrapped around her heart, tightening it with a mix of gratitude and longing. She wished for him to experience nothing but the best life had to offer.

Back in Haldoria, when Nicole had hurled her insults at him, Adriana felt the fury boiling within her. The urge to slap the smugness off Nicole’s face had nearly consumed her, driven by a fierce need to protect him from that hurt.

Yet, despite their growing closeness, there remained a chasm of understanding between them.

Curtis never spoke of the Bartons’ engagement. He never offered an explanation for why he felt trapped in it. Why he would choose to marry a woman he hardly knew over severing ties with that deal.

Adriana yearned to ask him, the question burning on her tongue, but it felt like a forbidden topic, akin to prodding a wound that had yet to heal.

That night, she shared the photo of them on the balcony, his arm draped around her shoulders, the sunset casting a golden hue over the world behind them.

Her followers were minimal; she had cut ties with most of her old college friends. Yet, one person remained unblocked—Matthew.

Perhaps it was childish. Perhaps it was an act of revenge. But she wanted him to see it.

When the notification chimed—“Matthew liked your photo”—Adriana found herself staring at it, the screen dimming as time passed unnoticed.

She had no idea what emotions flooded through him upon seeing it, and truthfully, she didn’t care anymore.

—

As Adriana and Curtis reveled in the fiery glow of the ocean at sunset, Matthew sat in a dimly lit bar, surrounded by a sea of half-empty bottles. He was intoxicated, his words slurred yet loud enough to echo through the room. “I’m not getting married!” he bellowed, slamming his glass onto the table with a force that startled nearby patrons. “I’m done. I refuse to marry Natasha!”

Darren leaned in, concern etched on his pale face. “You’ve lost your mind, man.”

Maybe he truly had.

“Matthew, what the hell does that even mean?” Natasha burst into the private room, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor, fury radiating from her.

Matthew lifted his gaze from his drink, his eyes glassy and unfocused. “It means the engagement is off,” he replied, his words slurring together. “We’re finished. No wedding.”

Natasha froze, her expression shifting from shock to fury. In one swift motion, she seized the nearest glass of wine and flung it at him, the red liquid splattering across his face. “You’re going to regret this,” she spat before storming out, the door slamming behind her, the sound reverberating in the tense silence.

Matthew’s eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping in. “What are you doing here?”

With a calm smile, she gestured to the waiter, who promptly delivered a small glass of hangover remedy to the table. “I’ve heard the rumors,” she said softly. “The one about the illegitimate child. I can help you. My way will make you untouchable in Haldoria. Interested?”

Matthew let out a dry laugh. “You think I’m foolish enough to buy into that? I know deals like that always come with hidden blades.”

“You don’t trust me.”

Danielle crossed her legs, leaning closer, her eyes glinting with intrigue. “Perhaps you should clear the room first. What I’m about to reveal pertains to Curtis’s father.”

That caught his attention. He turned to Darren, the fog of alcohol lifting from his mind. “Get everyone out. Now.”

Darren hesitated, unease settling in his gut. He knew Danielle was trouble, and everyone was aware of it. And Curtis—he was the last person anyone wanted to make an enemy of.

Some time ago, he had assisted Matthew in devising a scheme to mess with Adriana. Curtis had caught the entire thing on video, leading to Matthew being locked at home for two weeks, facing relentless scolding from his father until he felt like he might break.

Darren didn’t want to witness Matthew and Curtis tearing each other apart over a woman. His voice came out low and cautious. “Matthew…”

“Leave,” Matthew muttered, pressing his fingers to his forehead as if Darren’s voice added to the pounding pain.

Darren let out a long breath, stood, and gestured for the others to follow him out, leaving Matthew alone with Danielle.

Danielle’s smile was small but razor-sharp. “You know what gets to Curtis the most? His parents.”

Everyone in Harborton was aware of the tragedy that had befallen Curtis’s father years ago. A terrible accident had claimed both of his legs, transforming him into a tempest of anger and unpredictable mood swings. No one ever knew what would trigger his next outburst.