Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 63

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

**Chapter 63: Waiting for Her All Along**

The moment Adriana’s voice pierced the air, a heavy silence enveloped the Lincolns’ extended family. It was as if time itself had paused, each member caught off guard by her unexpected words.

Her statement, while not particularly unifying, struck a chord. The entire Lincoln Group revolved around Curtis, the man at the helm of their family business. It was a delicate balance, one that required finesse and understanding.

Harold, the patriarch, seemed to finally grasp the situation. He nodded slowly, his expression shifting from skepticism to acceptance. “Since you already have a Lincoln heir, you’re officially part of the family now. Don’t worry about the chatter online; we’ll handle it. Just keep your head down and stay out of trouble from here on out.”

Adriana felt the weight of his words. It was a tacit acknowledgment of her place within this complex family dynamic, and she nodded in agreement, sensing that this was a good moment to retreat into silence.

“She’s always been well-behaved. You should be telling me this, not her,” Curtis interjected, his voice firm yet tender. “I hesitated to marry at first because of the age difference, but now that I’ve chosen someone younger, it’s my duty to cherish her and treat her with the respect she deserves.” His grip on her delicate hand tightened, a gesture of both protection and affection.

His words were aimed squarely at Harold, an unspoken challenge to uphold the family’s values.

At seven years older than Adriana, Curtis believed their age gap was just right. It allowed him to take on a protective role while also establishing a partnership based on mutual respect.

Harold absorbed this, his earlier complaints fading into the background. “Alright, let’s get ready for dinner,” he muttered, a hint of dissatisfaction still lingering in his tone as he waved everyone away, signaling the end of the conversation.

Rosa, however, huffed in protest, rising to leave with a frown etched across her face.

“Aunt Rosa, wait! Adriana has prepared gifts for you and the other aunts,” Curtis called out, his voice carrying a note of urgency. “My wife is young, and while she’s with the Lincolns, I hope you all will look out for her.” Today, he had taken a stand against Rosa, concerned that she and the others might undermine Adriana’s confidence.

He had not married Adriana for her to navigate the treacherous waters of family politics alone.

Kenneth and Tom entered the room, their arms laden with a mountain of gifts—luxurious items that sparkled with promise.

Adriana’s eyes widened in astonishment. When had Curtis found the time to procure all these extravagant presents?

“Oh my goodness, you truly went all out! Just look at this!” Rosa exclaimed, her face lighting up with delight. The allure of expensive gifts was hard to resist, and soon, the room was filled with smiles and laughter.

“This bag—I’ve wanted it for ages! Your uncle never bought it for me,” Rosa chimed in, her earlier hostility melting away as she warmed to Adriana. “Adriana, how long will you be in Harborton? If you have some free time, I’d love to take you shopping.”

Adriana stood there, her mouth agape. The speed at which their attitudes shifted was nothing short of miraculous.

Once the aunts and uncles had departed, she leaned closer to Curtis and whispered, “When did you prepare all these gifts?”

He flashed her a charming smile. “I wanted to ensure that they wouldn’t make things difficult for you, so I had them ready ahead of time.”

Adriana felt her heart flutter.

Adriana’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the magnificent architecture, her eyes wide with wonder. The collection of genuine artifacts was astonishing; even the vases in the main hall were crafted from exquisite porcelain.

“The unique Southern Colonial-style architecture makes the entire estate feel so expansive…” Adriana mused, her admiration spilling over. She couldn’t help but think of Ethan, wishing she could share this moment with him. “Back in high school, the very first blueprint I ever created was inspired by classic Southern architecture!”

Curtis observed her, captivated by her enthusiasm. In that moment, Adriana appeared utterly free, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Did that design win an award?” he inquired, genuinely curious.

Adriana hesitated, a shadow crossing her face. “Yes, but my teacher ended up plagiarizing it when she submitted it. The award went under her name.”

A flicker of sympathy crossed Curtis’s features. “You’ll win many more awards in the future, I’m sure of it.”

Adriana smiled back at him, warmth flooding her heart. “Thank you.”

Later, back at the hotel, Adriana approached Curtis cautiously. “Why did you tell Harold I’m pregnant? What if he finds out I’m not?”

Curtis feigned innocence, a playful glint in his eyes. “Then… I suppose we’ll just have to work a little harder to make sure you are pregnant this time around.”

Adriana’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She stammered, her heart racing as the realization hit her—Curtis had been waiting for her all along.