Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 83

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 83**

Adriana inhaled deeply, stifling her laughter until her cheeks began to throb with the effort. The air was thick with unspoken joy, and she could feel the warmth of the moment enveloping her.

At last, the car fell into a serene silence. Gurtis gently closed his eyes, surrendering to a brief moment of peace.

Adriana remained nestled in Curtis’s protective embrace. Even in his repose, he held her close, unwilling to let her slip away from his grasp.

In this intimate cocoon, Adriana took the opportunity to closely examine Curtis’s features. His face was a masterpiece, each contour and shadow perfectly crafted.

This face is truly flawless…

Without warning, Tom slammed on the brakes, the abrupt motion sending Adriana lurching forward. She collided back into Curtis, her face landing against his chest, her cheek brushing against his in a way that felt almost like a gentle kiss.

Curtis kept his eyes shut but a subtle smile tugged at the corners of his lips, a sign of his amusement.

“Mr. Lincoln… we’ve arrived,” Tom announced, his voice breaking the spell of the moment.

The car rolled to a stop in the heart of the old downtown district of Harbor Bay. The street was alive with energy, filled with food stalls, their colorful signs jumbled together in a delightful chaos that painted the scene with vibrancy.

Nicole stepped out, her body frozen in surprise. “Curtis… what is this place? Why are there so many people?”

Her tone dripped with disappointment, clearly expecting to be whisked away to a luxurious mall filled with designer goods and glittering jewelry. Instead, they had landed in a bustling snack street teeming with tourists and locals alike.

“That dessert shop over there is the real deal. The owner’s master traveled all the way from Govendale,” Curtis replied, completely disregarding Nicole’s complaints as he took Adriana’s hand, guiding her toward the enticing dessert shop.

“This street is so bustling!” Adriana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she soaked in the lively atmosphere. It felt like a scene ripped straight from a movie. “I heard the rent here is outrageous. Even a tiny spot costs a fortune!”

Curtis grinned, his gaze fixed on Adriana. “Half of this street belongs to you.”

Adriana’s jaw dropped in disbelief. The meaning of his words didn’t quite register.

“The whole strip is owned by the Lincolns. It’s joint property,” Curtis explained nonchalantly, as they approached the dessert shop, which boasted a long line of eager customers.

The street was a vibrant mix of locals and tourists, all drawn to the charm of the historic district.

Curtis, tall and strikingly handsome, quickly became the center of attention. Young women discreetly snapped photos of him with their phones, their eyes wide with admiration.

Adriana hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath, pushing herself to join him in line.

Even billionaires have to wait, it seems.

Nicole, trailing behind with visible reluctance, shot glances of jealousy at Adriana.

Adriana glanced down at her stomach, a wave of uncertainty washing over her. She probably wasn’t pregnant yet.

If Harold found out I’m not, he’d toss me out without hesitation.

A small, selfish thought flitted through her mind. For some reason, she didn’t want to leave Curtis just yet…

She knew that her time would come, but perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to linger a little longer.

“Mr. Lincoln!” The dessert shop owner’s eyes lit up at the sight of Curtis, his voice bubbling with excitement. “Why are you in line? You don’t need to queue!”

“It’s all the same,” Curtis replied with a calm demeanor.

The owner chuckled knowingly. “It’s been years. Did you ever find her?”

Curtis instinctively turned his gaze toward Adriana. “Do you recognize her?”

The owner peered through the window at Adriana, his expression one of pleasant surprise. “Wow, she hasn’t changed much!”

Curtis beamed. “Give me an extra order. I made her cry yesterday; two portions of dessert balls should cheer her up.”

The man nodded eagerly, adding a generous amount of toppings before handing the delightful treats to Curtis. With a meaningful tone, he said, “Mr. Lincoln, I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”