Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 169

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Irene had tried again and again to make peace between the nephew and his uncle, but every attempt blew up in her face. Neither of them ever bent.

Both of them were too damn proud.

Curtis refused to admit he had an uncle. Gary refused to admit Curtis was his nephew.

They weren’t just distant. They were colder than strangers.

Irene had once seen them at the same business gala. They didn’t fight. They didn’t speak. They just ignored each other like the other didn’t exist. The silence between them was heavier than a shouting match.

Adriana had wanted to ask about it more than once. Each time she opened her mouth, the words caught in her throat.

Forget it.

She didn’t need to dig into that.

It was clear both men wanted the topic buried.

Gary dropped Adriana off at her building before heading off with Irene.

Irene treated her like family. She handed Adriana her number, her email, even a list of restaurants she loved. She shoved a bag full of snacks into her arms before leaving.

She spoiled her like she was a little baby.

Adriana couldn’t stop smiling. Irene had this way of making people feel at ease, like sunlight warming cold skin.

Her days in Neocoralis had been the happiest she’d had in ages. She’d met people, made a few industry friends, and finally felt like she was part of something real.

But what she loved most was meeting Irene.

Ever since Curtis came into her life, things just kept turning for the better. It felt like fortune itself had finally noticed her.

“Adriana.” The sound of her name made her stop. She turned and froze.

Belinda was crouched near her door, her arms wrapped around her knees. She looked wrecked. Her eyes were puffy and red, and her cheeks were streaked with dried tears.

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Adriana hurried toward her. “What’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?”

Belinda shook her head, her voice weak. “Can I stay here a few days?”

Adriana didn’t hesitate. “Of course. Come in.”

She helped her up and guided her inside. “How’s your mom doing? Is she still feeling okay?”

“She’s fine,” Belinda murmured. Her throat sounded raw.

Then she lifted her eyes. “Adriana … is it true? Are you really pregnant?”

Adriana glanced down for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Yeah. It’s true.”

Becoming a mother–it was the strangest, most beautiful feeling she’d ever known. It didn’t even feel real yet.

Belinda couldn’t tear her eyes away from Adriana’s belly. She stood there, silent, frozen in place.

Her mother’s words echoed in her head. “Get close to her. Wait until she’s near the stairs. Then push. One shove. One fall. The baby gone.”

“Adriana,” Belinda said suddenly, her voice flat. “Were you always on your own? Were you always an orphan?”

Adriana’s hand stilled halfway as she poured water into a glass. She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I was left outside an orphanage the day I was born.”

Belinda lifted the glass to her lips and swallowed hard. The water tasted bitter.

“I

got adopted twice when I was a teenager,” Adriana went on, her tone steady. “But both times, they sent me back.”

Belinda blinked. “Why would they do that?”

“They had their own kids later.” Adriana gave a soft, sad smile. “I guess blood ties really do something to people.”

Belinda didn’t answer. She didn’t believe blood fixed anything. Sometimes it ruined you instead.

They climbed the stairs together. The creak of each step echoed like a heartbeat.

Halfway up, Belinda’s hand moved. All she had to do was give a push. Just one. Adriana would fall. The baby would be gone. Her mother would be satisfied.

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Her palm shook. Her breath caught. She couldn’t move.

Her heart felt like it might split in two.

“Adriana,” Belinda whispered, her voice trembling.

Adriana turned around, confused. “What is it?”

Belinda’s eyes filled fast, tears sliding down her face. “My mom loves Curtis. Can you let her have him?”

Adriana froze. “Belinda, love isn’t something you hand over. Even if I agreed, Curtis still has to want that.” She exhaled, her voice low. She already knew why Belinda was here. Cynthia had sent her.

Belinda’s shoulders shook. “My mom gave up everything for him. She almost died for him. She can’t lose him now. If she does, she’ll fall apart.”

Her tears hit the floor one after another.

Adriana sighed, the sound heavy and tired. She could almost see the invisible chains wrapped around Belinda.

Her mother’s grip had stolen her freedom.

For a brief moment, Adriana felt something sharp in her chest—gratitude.

She was glad she had no parents. Better to be alone than smothered by a love that killed you.

“Belinda,” Adriana said softly, “you’ve got your own life. Don’t let her take it from you. She already ruined herself. Don’t let her ruin you too.”

Adriana turned and walked down the stairs slowly.

Belinda reached out in panic, grabbing at Adriana, but her hands moved too hard. The moment she felt the push, her heart dropped.

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