Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 60

**Chapter 60: The Family Dinner**

Adriana found herself lost in thought, recalling a sensational gossip piece she had stumbled across not long ago. It claimed that Moonridge Bay was nothing more than a playground for the ultra-wealthy, where a single night’s stay could cost a small fortune—hundreds of thousands of dollars, to be precise. The mere idea of such extravagance lingered in her mind like an echo, both fascinating and bewildering.

“How much does one night here actually cost?” she whispered to herself, her voice barely breaking the silence, a blend of curiosity and disbelief swirling within her.

Curtis, ever the charming enigma, caught her off guard. He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “Perhaps you should ponder how much our shared marital assets will increase with every night we spend here.” He took her hand, his touch warm and comforting, sending a flutter through her heart.

It took a moment for the weight of his words to settle in. Moonridge Bay was not just any place; it belonged to the Lincoln family. A blush crept onto her cheeks as the realization hit her. Shared marital assets? The phrase felt strange, almost unsettling. She was merely a contract wife, a placeholder in a world of wealth that felt so distant from her own reality. How could she even entertain thoughts of his riches when her own life felt so starkly different?

The hotel itself was a dazzling spectacle, a realm of opulence that made her feel as if she were floating outside of her own body. Everywhere she looked, luxury sparkled, and the very air was thick with the scent of affluence, wrapping around her like an invisible cloak.

As they stepped into the glass elevator, it transformed from a mere lift into a ride through a gallery of excess. Each floor they ascended revealed a more breathtaking panorama of their lavish surroundings. The higher they climbed, the more magnificent the view became, and Adriana couldn’t help but steal glances at Curtis. He stood beside her, exuding an aura of confidence that was both intoxicating and intimidating.

He was undeniably handsome, radiating a charisma that screamed “billionaire boss” in his tailored suit, yet, without it, he could easily pass for a striking model. Tall and athletic, he embodied desirability. But a nagging thought lingered in her mind—how could a man who spent staggering amounts on a hotel room also enjoy a simple meal of street food with her? What was the real Curtis like beneath this polished exterior?

“Are you staring at me?” Curtis’s voice broke through her reverie as the elevator doors slid open, his tone teasing yet inviting.

“Does money make me look better?” he added with a playful smirk.

His humor made him seem more approachable, a refreshing contrast to the aloofness he sometimes displayed. Adriana felt her cheeks flush as she followed him out, her mind racing with questions. Was she really going to share a bed with him tonight?

Once inside their lavish room, her thoughts spiraled into chaos, and in her distraction, she accidentally collided with his chest. The impact jolted her back to reality.

“Take a shower and get some rest. You’ve had a long day,” Curtis suggested, his tone gentle yet firm, like a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

She felt a wave of relief wash over her at the thought of avoiding any physical intimacy that night. Perhaps they could simply exist together, sharing the space without the pressure of expectations.

“Curtis, do you like kids?” she ventured, hoping to steer the conversation toward safer waters as he emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and tousled.

He paused, casting her a sidelong glance. Adriana was nestled under the blankets, cocooned yet visibly anxious.

“No,” he replied candidly, the honesty in his voice catching her off guard.

“Then why do you still want a child?” she probed softly, her curiosity piqued. “Is it just to satisfy the Lincolns, to ease your grandfather’s mind?”

“Grandpa, a family dinner is an outdated tradition,” Curtis replied, his frown deepening.

Adriana’s curiosity piqued. “What exactly is this Lincoln family dinner?” she asked, her genuine intrigue shining through.

“If you don’t want to go, I can take you shopping instead,” Curtis suggested, his tone growing colder, revealing his reluctance for her to be present.

“What is it really?” she pressed again, a mix of determination and anxiety rising within her. After all, wasn’t it her duty to win over Grandpa’s approval?

“It’s essentially a test for the Lincolns to assess how obedient the woman marrying in is,” Curtis explained, frustration lacing his voice. Adriana’s brow furrowed in response.

“This so-called tradition has never brought happiness to any woman in the family. The men act like they’re inspecting property, scrutinizing whether the new wife can submit completely. All the Lincolns will be there, and they’ll make things difficult for you in every conceivable way. Only if you endure it all and please them will they consider you officially accepted,” he continued, his gaze locking onto hers, a mix of concern and protectiveness evident in his expression.

In the quiet aftermath of the family dinner revelation, Adriana found herself standing at a crossroads, teetering between the allure of Curtis’s world and the harsh reality of her place within it. The opulence of Moonridge Bay now felt like a gilded cage, where acceptance came with strings attached, and her identity as a mere contract wife loomed larger than ever. Yet, as she looked into Curtis’s eyes, she sensed a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. His protective stance, the warmth of his hand in hers, and the way he had shielded her from the harsh judgments of his family sparked a new resolve within her. Perhaps she could navigate this treacherous terrain, not as a passive observer but as an active participant in her own narrative.

As the night drew on and the weight of their shared silence enveloped them, Adriana realized that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but it was also ripe with possibilities. The distance between them, once a chasm of doubt and fear, began to feel like a space filled with potential for understanding and growth. She no longer wanted to be just a placeholder; she yearned to carve out her own place in this world, one where her voice mattered. With Curtis by her side, she felt emboldened to confront the Lincolns and their archaic traditions, ready to redefine what it meant to belong. In that moment of clarity, she understood that healing was not just about time but about the courage to embrace her own truth and forge a path toward a future she could truly call her own.