Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 45

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

“Don’t be afraid. You’ve got me,” Curtis said softly, his voice a steady anchor amidst the storm of anxiety swirling within Adriana. His presence enveloped her like a protective shield, a fortress against the uncertainties that loomed ahead. “Before you leave for Pastalia, just focus on your studies. I’ll take care of everything else.”

Those words hung in the air, a promise that wrapped around her like a warm blanket, providing solace in the midst of her turmoil.

Adriana was on the brink of a monumental chapter in her life. Before she could set foot in Pastalia, she had to conquer six grueling months of intensive language courses. Only after she triumphed in the proficiency exam would her dreams of further education materialize—a dream she had nurtured for four long years, now tantalizingly within reach.

This opportunity was more than just a chance; it was a precious gem she cradled close to her heart, a beacon of hope in a life that had often felt devoid of joy.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice imbued with genuine gratitude as she looked up at him, her heart swelling with affection.

Adriana had always possessed an innate ability to smile, but those smiles had been rare, fleeting like whispers in the wind. Now, however, joy bubbled within her, spilling forth in a radiant glow.

“You still smile the same way you did when you were little. Goofy as ever,” Curtis remarked, his eyes softening with fondness as he regarded her, a warmth that ignited a flicker of happiness in her chest.

“What?” Adriana blinked, slightly taken aback by his words, which seemed to linger in the space between them.

Curtis turned his gaze toward the window, a hint of a playful smile dancing on his lips. “Nothing. The hot dogs tonight were really good.”

At the mere mention of food, Adriana’s face brightened. “The owner taught me how to make them! I can whip them up for you sometime.”

The words spilled out before she could fully process them, perhaps because now that they were married, such thoughts felt natural and effortless. But then, a sudden wave of panic crashed over her—what if he misinterpreted her eagerness?

“Sure,” Curtis replied without a moment’s hesitation. “Just—no relish.”

Adriana’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Me neither!”

Curtis didn’t elaborate further; he simply turned back to gaze out the window, a faint smile gracing his lips as if he were lost in a pleasant daydream.

But soon, the atmosphere at the Clarke Residence shifted dramatically.

While Curtis was in the shower, Eva casually dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through Adriana’s mind: the Clarke real estate developments were, in fact, owned by the Bartons.

All of Haldoria’s most prestigious mansions—those grand structures that stood as symbols of elite status—had been constructed by the influential Barton family.

“The Bartons are at the pinnacle of Harborton society. For years, they were the only family that could rival the Lincolns,” Eva elaborated, her tone a strange mix of reverence and disdain.

Suddenly, the pieces fell into place, and Adriana understood why there had been a marriage contract between the two families.

“No wonder Danielle’s so confident,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as the implications settled heavily in her mind.

The Bartons were indeed a formidable force, woven into the very fabric of the society she was stepping into.

“Impressive on the surface, perhaps. But anyone who knows the truth understands that Danielle is an illegitimate daughter. She’s not even a true Barton. Jeremy had to change his last name to theirs to save face. If Gilbert, their eldest son, hadn’t passed away so young, neither she nor her father would have ever set foot in that house, let alone altered their surname,” Eva said, her disdain for Danielle palpable.

Adriana hesitated, caught in a web of conflicting emotions. “Eva, you… don’t seem to have much fondness for her. But Ms. Reese seems to absolutely adore her.”

Eva glanced around, ensuring Curtis was still occupied, before lowering her voice conspiratorially. “That woman is a master of deception. She wears two faces—one for the world to see and another for the shadows. She only knows how to charm the unsuspecting.”

Adriana cast a quick glance toward the stairs—Curtis had yet to emerge. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Maybe not. But he still chose to marry me. That means you still have to address me properly.”

Belinda stomped her foot, pulling out her phone with a flourish. “You have no shame, Adriana! I just saw this in our student group—your sugar daddy photos! Matthew admitted it himself. You were with him for four years for money!”

In a panic, Adriana snatched the phone, her heart racing as she stared at the screen. It was trending—Matthew had gone public, claiming he had “kept” her for four years.

Matthew… had chosen to expose their relationship to the world.

Adriana’s breath hitched in her throat. He had done this deliberately—to ruin her reputation, to hurt Curtis. If the Lincolns valued their standing, they would never accept their heir marrying a woman with such a tarnished past. They would become the laughingstock of the business world.

Matthew was merciless.

“Mr. Harold already knows. You might as well start packing your bags,” Belinda said smugly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I came back tonight just to witness your downfall.”

So that was her plan—to watch Curtis throw Adriana out of the house.

Adriana felt her chest tighten. She wasn’t frightened for herself; her fear stemmed from the thought of dragging Curtis down with her.

After all, they were legally wed now. If this scandal broke…

In the face of adversity, Adriana stood at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of her past and the uncertain future that loomed ahead. The revelation of her history with Matthew threatened to shatter the fragile peace she had begun to build with Curtis, a man whose unwavering support had become her anchor. As the specter of scandal loomed, she felt the chill of betrayal seep into her bones, a reminder of the precarious nature of her newfound happiness. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a flicker of resilience ignited within her. She realized that this was not merely a battle for her reputation, but a test of her resolve to protect the love she had fought so hard to reclaim. With Curtis by her side, she could confront the storm, refusing to be defined by her past mistakes.

As the chapter closed, Adriana understood that healing was not a linear journey, but a series of choices that would shape her destiny. She could no longer allow fear to dictate her actions; instead, she would embrace the strength she had cultivated through her struggles. The promise of a future in Pastalia beckoned, a symbol of her aspirations and the life she yearned to create. With Curtis’s unwavering belief in her, Adriana was determined to rise above the shadows of her past, to carve out a space where she could thrive. The road ahead was fraught with challenges, but she was ready to face them head-on, fortified by love and the unyielding desire to reclaim her narrative. In this moment of clarity, she chose to listen—to herself, to her dreams, and to the promise of a brighter tomorrow.