When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 14

When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 14 Summary

Adriana returns home to find Matthew waiting quietly on the couch. She confronts him about the study abroad spot she had worked hard to earn and which he promised to secure for her. Despite her repeated reminders, Matthew has already given the opportunity to Natasha’s cousin, dismissing Adriana’s feelings and the significance of the chance to her. Adriana, desperate and hurt, pleads with him to help her keep the spot, but Matthew offers only pity and material compensation, which she angrily rejects. The opportunity means everything to her, and losing it feels like a devastating betrayal, especially after all she has endured.

Their argument escalates, revealing deep emotional wounds. Adriana’s past struggles with depression and trauma make this loss particularly painful, and Matthew’s initial attempts to comfort her seem hollow. Though he promises to talk to Natasha and retrieve the spot, Adriana remains distant and bitter, feeling that Matthew’s care is conditional and insufficient. She clings to the hope that this chance will change her life, but Matthew’s actions suggest he values his relationship with Natasha more than Adriana’s dreams and wellbeing.

Later, Matthew faces his own conflict as he hesitates before visiting Natasha, torn between the two women. Natasha manipulates him with tales of past suffering and vulnerability, making him feel guilty and protective. Their conversation reveals Matthew’s struggle to balance his promises and loyalties, ultimately leading him to prioritize Natasha’s desires. He decides to let Adriana lose the study abroad opportunity, rationalizing that he will compensate her in other ways, though Adriana remains unaware of this decision.

Adriana waits anxiously through the night for Matthew’s call, desperate for reassurance. When he finally contacts her, he coldly tells her to give up the spot to Cheryl and offers vague promises to make amends. His tone implies that he sees this as a favor rather than a fulfillment of a promise. Overwhelmed with pain and betrayal, Adriana realizes how little she means to Matthew, understanding that her hopes and efforts are easily sacrificed to maintain Natasha’s happiness.

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14 How Little My Life Means to Him

When Adriana returned to the apartment, she found Matthew already there, sprawled casually on the couch, waiting for her in silence.

“Don’t you think you’ve gone too far this time?” he asked quietly, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for an answer. “You even moved out. Is this your way of protesting now?”

Adriana took a hesitant step closer, her voice rough and strained. “You’re going to give that study abroad spot back, right? I told you about it six months ago. You knew how much it meant to me. You promised.”

She sank down in front of him, locking eyes with him, her body taut with tension and desperation.

She had reminded him countless times, yet every single instance, he dismissed it as if it were trivial.

Matthew faltered for a moment. A flicker of guilt crossed his face, but his pride wouldn’t let him admit he’d been wrong. “It’s just a study abroad program,” he muttered under his breath.

The truth was, he did remember—she had been talking about it for months. But when Natasha mentioned her cousin wanting the spot yesterday, it completely slipped his mind.

“This matters to me, Matthew,” Adriana’s voice trembled. “I’ve never begged you for anything before. Please… just this once, help me.”

He could call her weak or useless if he wanted. It no longer mattered.

All she needed was this one chance to change her life.

“I’ll take care of you if you can’t go,” Matthew said flatly. “Anything you want, I’ll give it to you.” He was reluctant to break his promise to Natasha—he’d already made the phone call.

Adriana stared at him, then suddenly stood up, her voice breaking as she shouted, “I don’t want that! I don’t want your pity or your gifts. I’m not some pet you keep around to throw scraps at when you feel guilty!”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she backed away, her eyes fierce. “I want this opportunity.”

She would rather fight and claw her way forward than live trapped and silent forever.

But she was just an orphan, born with nothing. Everything she had fought for could be lost in an instant.

That’s why this chance mattered so much. Why she needed him.

“I earned it. I worked hard. My grades put me at the top. How could you just hand it away like it was nothing?” Her voice cracked under the weight of her frustration and pain.

She couldn’t turn to Curtis—he had told her not to go abroad yet.

All she wanted was this one year. Just one shot to learn from Devan Harrett.

So Matthew was her only hope.

And somehow, he had become the very person to shatter that hope. He stole it from her.

That’s why she was so furious with him.

“Why would you do this to me, Matthew…” she whispered, voice breaking.

We were together for four years. Doesn’t that mean anything to him?

Adriana had already been battling depression, and this blow hit her like a tidal wave. Her body went numb, her fingers digging into her palms so tightly that blood began to seep through.

“Adriana, stop,” Matthew said quickly, panic rising in his voice.

He pulled her into a hug, trying to soothe her. “I’ll talk to Natasha, okay? I’ll tell her cousin to give the spot back. Just breathe. Deep breaths…”

When Adriana was discharged from the hospital, she needed six months of therapy. The therapist had warned Matthew repeatedly not to trigger her.

At first, he had been cautious and patient.

But over time, Adriana grew so quiet, so compliant, that he forgot about the trauma and invisible scars she carried.

Clinging to his shirt like she was drowning, Adriana sobbed so hard she struggled to breathe.

“I’ll get it for you,” Matthew promised again, trying to calm her.

Her sobs gradually softened, but her face remained pale and distant. She let out a dry, bitter laugh.

He’s going to get it for me?

That spot was mine from the beginning. He took it from me and handed it over to Natasha’s cousin. And now he wants credit for trying to give it back?

“Matthew… this isn’t just some random thing to me,” Adriana said, her voice low but steady. “It means everything.”

This opportunity meant everything to her.

And Matthew knew it. He knew Adriana wouldn’t survive being crushed like this again.

She had battled self-harm and suicidal thoughts four years ago. If something like this pushed her over the edge now, it could break her completely.

He knew all of this. He always had.

But he didn’t care.

Just like that time not long ago when he dragged her into that room with Rufus and Mia, fully aware they were there, all just to keep Natasha happy. Like her life didn’t matter at all.

“Get some rest,” Matthew said softly, though his mind was already elsewhere. That exchange spot was nearly secured, and he needed to talk to Natasha.

Adriana leaned against the wall, utterly drained.

All she could do now was wait. Wait for Matthew to decide.

***

Matthew pulled up outside the Joneses’ villa but hesitated before stepping out of the car. I promised Natasha I’d help Cheryl get into that program. I already told her the spot was hers earlier today. If I back out now…

Natasha would definitely start suspecting something between Adriana and me.

Leaning back in his seat, he rubbed his forehead. On one side was Adriana. On the other was Natasha.

And he was stuck right in the middle.

Adriana was easier to handle. She rarely fought back.

Maybe I can give her something else instead. Buy her something or give her more attention to make up for it. But the way she broke down today… it unsettled me.

After a long pause, he finally dialed Natasha.

“Hey… you still up?”

Inside the house, Natasha stood near the window, quietly watching his car outside.

She frowned, then softened her tone, feigning sleepiness. “Mm… barely. I’m super tired.”

“Natasha—” Matthew began.

But she cut him off deliberately. “Matthew… I’m scared. I just had a terrible dream. I saw William hitting me again… You know, during those four years I was in Moweland, I thought about you every single day…”

“Matthew, you know I only married William because I had to. We were too young back then. You didn’t have the power to protect me yet, and I had no choice but to do what my family wanted. That wasn’t the life I wanted.” Her voice cracked as tears started to fall.

She was skilled at this—always knew how to twist the story.

She made it sound like Matthew had let her down. Like he hadn’t done enough back then. At the time, he had just taken over Langford Group and had little control.

She painted herself as the victim, saying William Pena abused her, that her family forced her into it, and that she had suffered for years.

Matthew’s grip tightened around the phone. His voice came out low. “I’m sorry…”

He blamed himself for not protecting her, for letting her get trapped in that marriage, and for everything she endured while she was away.

“I’m not scared anymore,” Natasha said softly through tears. “Now that I’m back, knowing you waited for me… it means the world.”

Matthew’s chest tightened painfully. I can’t tell her about Adriana or the program.

“Anyway, what made you call so late?” Natasha asked, sniffling.

***

“Nothing important. I just wanted to check on you. I was worried you’d have a bad dream.” His tone was gentle.

“Thanks…” she replied sweetly. “Will you come to the beach with me tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

After hanging up, Matthew leaned forward, rubbing his face with both hands. He just couldn’t say no to her. In the end, he decided to let Adriana take the fall, thinking he would make it up to her somehow. He would find a way to compensate her, no matter what it took.

Back at the apartment, Adriana stayed awake all night, sitting on the couch, staring into the darkness, waiting for Matthew’s call.

But it never came.

Not until ten the next morning.

When the phone finally rang, she scrambled to answer, her voice rough and barely above a whisper. “Matthew…”

“Adriana,” he said calmly. “I’m sorry. Just let Cheryl have the spot. Tell me what you want. I’ll make it up to you.”

He sounded as if he was doing her a favor—as if he were tossing her a reward from above.

Adriana froze, then began to tremble uncontrollably.

In the end, Matthew still decided I was the one who had to lose. All just to keep Natasha smiling.

Now I understand. This is how little my life means to him—not even enough to compete with a single smile from Natasha.

Conclusion

Adriana’s heartbreak is a quiet, crushing weight that settles deep within her, embodying the painful realization that her dreams and struggles are so easily dismissed by the one she trusted most. Her fight is not just for a study abroad spot, but for recognition, for the value of her efforts and existence in Matthew’s eyes. The emotional chasm between them widens as Matthew’s actions reveal the painful truth: despite years together, her hopes are expendable when weighed against the convenience of another’s happiness.

This chapter lays bare the devastating cost of neglect and the fragility of promises when pride and fear govern decisions. Adriana’s silent endurance and Matthew’s conflicted remorse underscore a tragic imbalance—where love is entangled with control and sacrifice becomes a one-sided burden. The lingering ache of betrayal and unspoken pain leaves a poignant question hanging in the air: how much does one life truly matter when weighed against the fragile threads of loyalty and obligation?

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

Next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and tense dynamics between Adriana and Matthew, as the consequences of his choice begin to unfold. Adriana’s quiet suffering and Matthew’s conflicted loyalties will create an emotional battleground where trust is tested and hearts are pushed to their limits. Readers can expect to witness the raw vulnerability of Adriana as she grapples with the crushing weight of betrayal, while Matthew’s internal struggle between guilt and pride threatens to unravel everything they once held dear.

Meanwhile, Natasha’s presence looms like a shadow over their lives, her own pain and manipulation adding layers of complexity to the already strained relationships. The next chapter will likely explore how these intertwined emotions and secrets begin to surface, forcing each character to confront uncomfortable truths. As Adriana fights to reclaim her dignity and Matthew wrestles with his choices, the story will build toward a powerful confrontation that could change their futures forever. The tension is palpable, and the question remains: how much more can they endure before everything shatters?

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

The Comeback Queen’s Crown Novel Chapter 14

When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 14