When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 29

When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 29 Summary

Adriana and Eva share a quiet breakfast where Adriana reflects on the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy, appreciating the confidence that comes from privilege. Her thoughts are interrupted by a call from Neville, who tries to persuade her to remove her online posts in exchange for a study abroad placement, but Adriana coolly refuses, reminding him of the abuse she endured and the threats she faced from the university.

Shortly after, Adriana receives another call from HR at Langford Group, pressuring her to officially resign in person. Suspecting Matthew’s involvement, she agrees to come by at 2 p.m. to sign the paperwork, feeling a rush of empowerment despite knowing her confidence is partly borrowed from Curtis.

During breakfast, Adriana learns from Eva about Curtis’s niece, Ms. Reese, who was raised by Curtis after her mother, his late private tutor and first love, passed away. Adriana senses there’s more to the story and gently probes Eva about Curtis’s unmarried status and past relationships. Eva reveals that Curtis’s first love was his older tutor, but their relationship was broken up by his father due to social scandal, leading Curtis to leave the country in anger.

Adriana is intrigued by the tragic romance behind Curtis’s family history and enjoys the drama from a distance, grateful that her contract marriage shields her from emotional entanglements. She understands that if Ms. Reese is truly connected to Curtis’s past, she may need to tolerate the niece’s potentially spoiled and demanding nature.

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Chapter 29: The Woman Before

Eva hesitated briefly, then offered a gentle smile and nodded in agreement. “Alright,” she said softly.

Adriana took a careful bite of the mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and ground meat—it was absolutely delicious. She marveled quietly to herself: so this was the lifestyle of the wealthy, where no one ever had to lift a finger or worry about the little things. The grace and composure she had once admired so much in Natasha suddenly made sense—it was the kind of confidence that only comes from growing up surrounded by comfort and privilege.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Neville calling. Since the last time she’d involved the media, the university had been threatening to withhold her diploma. Now, he was reaching out again?

“Adriana, good news—we’ve secured your study abroad placement,” Neville’s voice was unusually sweet. “The university fought hard to get you an extra spot. So, um… could you maybe take down those posts you made online?”

Adriana’s lips curved into a slight, knowing smile. “Mr. Smith, wasn’t that placement arranged by someone else, not you?” she replied coolly.

Neville faltered for a moment, clearly caught off guard, then tried to regain control. “Adriana, this university is your alma mater. You shouldn’t do things that damage its reputation. You should be grateful.”

Adriana set her fork down and paused thoughtfully before answering with a smile that held a hint of steel. “When I was beaten until I lost hearing in one ear, had my fingers stomped on, and was nearly left to die in the equipment room… what did you say then? Something like, ‘If you report it or cause trouble, you won’t get your diploma,’ right?”

Silence stretched on the other end of the line. Neville offered no response, then abruptly ended the call.

Adriana couldn’t help but find the whole situation almost amusing.

Before she could even set her phone down, it rang again.

“Hello?”

“This is the HR department from Langford Group,” a firm voice announced. “You still haven’t officially submitted your resignation. If you continue missing work without notice—”

“I already handed in my resignation,” Adriana interrupted firmly.

She suspected Matthew was behind this, using HR to corner her.

“Ms. Xander, even with a formal resignation, you need to be present in person to sign the paperwork,” the HR representative responded, conceding for the moment.

“Fine. I’ll come by at 2 p.m. to sign it.”

After ending the call, Adriana exhaled deeply. The sensation of gaining the upper hand felt exhilarating—refreshing even. Yet deep down, she knew this newfound confidence wasn’t entirely her own; it was borrowed from Curtis.

“Mrs. Lincoln, did you enjoy breakfast?” Eva asked warmly, her smile genuine.

Adriana nodded. “It was wonderful, thank you.”

Eva smiled again. “It seems young, health-conscious women prefer lighter meals. Ms. Reese only eats light dishes, too.”

Curiosity tugged at Adriana. Curtis’s villa had a bedroom on the first floor reserved for his niece, and from what she had seen, Curtis clearly adored her.

“Ms. Reese… she’s Curtis’s biological niece? I thought Curtis was an only child,” Adriana asked softly.

Eva hesitated briefly before answering quickly. “No, she’s not. Ms. Reese’s mother was Mr. Lincoln’s private tutor. She passed away some time ago and left Ms. Reese behind. Poor girl… she basically grew up under Mr. Lincoln’s care.”

Adriana nodded, Eva’s explanation sounded plausible enough, but something about it didn’t sit right with her. After all, why would someone take in their former tutor’s child without a deeper reason?

Could it be that Ms. Reese’s late mother had once been Curtis’s first love?

“Eva, do you happen to know why Mr. Lincoln has never married all these years?” Adriana asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Curtis had remained scandal-free in Harborton, over thirty years old with no rumored girlfriends. No wonder Harold was anxious for him to settle down.

But Adriana found it hard to believe Curtis had no romantic past at all.

Just like Matthew, who loved Natasha so deeply he was willing to wait for her to divorce so he could marry her.

Eva looked uneasy, clearly reluctant to say too much.

“Eva, come on,” Adriana encouraged gently. “You know Curtis and I are just in a contract marriage—we’re basically coworkers. It’s okay. I just want to understand him better so I don’t accidentally cross any lines.”

She wanted to learn more about Curtis because if this woman really was the daughter of someone he once loved, no matter how spoiled or demanding she might be, Adriana knew she would have to tolerate it.

She was well aware of the kind of women the upper class raised—women like Camelia and Mia, who were spoiled to the core.

And Curtis? He seemed even more protective than Matthew. If he had been the one spoiling Ms. Reese, there was no telling how entitled she might be.

“Ms. Reese’s mother was actually Mr. Lincoln’s first love,” Eva said quietly, “but there was quite an age difference—she was eight years older than him.”

Adriana’s ears perked up, completely captivated by the story.

“Back then, Mr. Lincoln was just a teenager—eighteen or nineteen. Falling in love with his tutor was considered scandalous. Mr. Harold thought the woman was unsuitable. She was unmarried and had a daughter, and he believed she was deliberately seducing Curtis. So, he broke them up.”

Eva’s voice softened as she continued, clearly enjoying the gossip. “I heard they had a huge fight, and Curtis left the country out of spite.”

Adriana listened in surprise, struck by how tragic this wealthy family’s love story really was.

She took another bite of the blondies, savoring the sweetness as she absorbed every detail.

Contract marriage did have its perks—no messy feelings involved meant she could enjoy the drama guilt-free.

Conclusion

This chapter delicately explores Adriana’s evolving understanding of the complex lives entwined with hers, revealing the hidden pains and sacrifices beneath the polished surface of wealth and privilege. Through quiet moments of reflection and subtle revelations, Adriana gains insight into Curtis’s past and the delicate balance of relationships that shape their present. The emotional undercurrents of longing, loss, and unspoken history add depth to the seemingly straightforward contract marriage, highlighting the human stories that often lie beneath social facades.

Despite the challenges and tensions Adriana faces, there is a quiet strength in her growing confidence and resilience. Her ability to navigate the pressures from Neville and the university, alongside her curiosity about Curtis’s past, demonstrates a woman who is learning to reclaim her voice and agency. The chapter closes with a bittersweet appreciation for the unexpected comforts and complexities of her new life, suggesting that even in arrangements born of necessity, there can be moments of genuine understanding and connection.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

Next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and hidden histories surrounding Curtis Lincoln. As Adriana uncovers more about Curtis’s past, especially his first love and the reasons behind his lifelong bachelorhood, readers can expect a blend of poignant revelations and subtle tensions. The delicate balance between Adriana’s pragmatic approach to their contract marriage and the emotional undercurrents tied to Curtis’s past will surely add layers of complexity to their relationship.

Meanwhile, the looming pressures from Neville and the Langford Group hint at challenges that could test Adriana’s resolve and independence. The power plays from those around her, combined with her growing insight into the elite world she’s navigating, set the stage for conflicts that are as much about personal integrity as they are about survival. With Adriana’s newfound confidence borrowing strength from Curtis, the next chapter will explore how far she is willing to go to protect herself and what sacrifices might lie ahead.

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 29

When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 29