Ms. Escape Marrying to Run Fighting to Rise novel Chapter 176

Chapter 176 Blaming Himself

“Does it still hurt?” Curtis’s voice was low as he pulled Adriana against his chest.

He’d spent days blaming himself. Every hour, that guilt ate at him like poison.

Adriana shook her head gently. “No. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

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Curtis rested his forehead on her shoulder. His voice came out rough. “I should’ve you.”

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Adriana quickly shook her head again. “It wasn’t your fault.”

She paused for a moment, her eyes dim. “I was the one who messed up. I should’ve seen it coming when Belinda showed up.”

Curtis was about to speak when the doorbell rang sharply through the quiet house.

Outside, a black Phantom pulled to a stop at the gate. The engine went silent, and Matthew’s assistant stepped out. He opened the door and bowed slightly, welcoming a family of three.

Michael lifted his chin and stared at the villa with calm, heavy eyes. In his mind, everything that belonged to Curtis had always been his to begin with.

Juliet’s voice was full of awe. “Honey, this place is amazing. Is it ours?”

Michael let out a short, dry laugh. “No. This is one of the Lincolns‘ homes in Haldoria. It belongs to my son from my first marriage.”

Jealousy burned through Juliet’s face. “What a waste. If only this house were ours. Your first son’s had it easy for years while our boy grew up with nothing.”

Her voice cracked as she choked back tears.

Denton frowned and turned toward her. “Mom, that’s not right. Dad said he left the Lincolns or his own. You met him after that. If he hadn’t left, you wouldn’t even be together. So it’s not my brother’s fault.”

His voice was calm but firm. Inside, though, he felt lost. Overnight, he’d gone from living a simple life to being part of some wealthy family he didn’t even know.

He wasn’t sure he wanted it. He wasn’t sure his brother would want him either.

And no matter what Michael said, Denton didn’t buy it. His father’s departure from the Lincolns must’ve had some deeper reason.

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8:45 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 176 Blaming Himself

A man who hated work and barely lifted a finger didn’t walk away from money unless something else had gone down.

Juliet shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass, warning him to stay quiet.

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In the corner by the wall, Belinda sat hunched over, drawing circles in the dirt. Her legs were numb, but she froze when she saw the family walking up. Slowly, she steadied herself against the wall and stood. “Who are you looking for?”

Juliet flinched, clutching her chest. Michael stiffened beside her. They hadn’t noticed the girl sitting there at all.

Michael’s brows drew together. “I’m looking for Curtis. Who are you? The maid?”

Belinda turned toward the doorway. Curtis and Adriana had stepped out. Her voice was soft. “Curtis, they’re here for you.”

Michael looked up, and the color drained from his face. The boy he once brushed off stood before him now, taller, sharper, radiating the kind of strength that filled the whole space. Michael couldn’t even hold his gaze.

Matthew’s assistant stepped forward with a polite smile. “Mr. Lincoln, this is Mr. Michael. He’s your father. Mr. Langford asked me to bring him and his family here to see you.”

Matthew had done it on purpose. He wanted Curtis to know he wasn’t the only one who could play dirty.

Curtis let out a sharp, cold laugh. To him, Matthew looked like a child trying to pick a fight he couldn’t win.

Did that fool really think dragging back some runaway father and a half–brother would turn the Lincoln Group into another Langford empire?

“Go tell your boss this,” Curtis said, his tone slicing through the air. “If he has to bring an illegitimate son into his company, that means he’s weak. But just because he’s pathetic doesn’t mean the rest of us are.”

The assistant’s fake smile fell apart. He froze, swallowed hard, and gave a quick nod before hurrying back to the car.

Adriana turned her head toward Michael and his family. Her face went pale with shock. His father?

But Curtis’s father was supposed to be dead.

“So you’re Curtis,” Michael said, pretending to sound casual as his eyes swept over him. “You’ve grown up.” He started toward the house, motioning Juliet to follow.

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8:45 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 176 Blaming Himself

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Curtis raised his arm, blocking him. “This is my property. If you step inside, I’ll call the police.”

Michael’s expression twisted in disbelief. “Curtis, I’m your father. Everything you have today

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