When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 34
When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 34 Summary
In this chapter, Adriana takes a decisive step by signing her resignation papers, officially ending her connection with Matthew. The act brings her a sense of relief and newfound confidence, as she embraces her independence despite the challenges she faces. As she walks away, Natasha threatens that the matter isn’t over, but Adriana remains resolute, determined to move on and leave for Pastalia in six months regardless of their interference.
Matthew attempts to call Adriana back, but Natasha warns him that pursuing her will end their engagement. Torn between his feelings and loyalty to Natasha, Matthew ultimately chooses to stay, convinced that Curtis’s interest in Adriana is temporary and that she will return to him once Curtis loses interest.
At the Clarke residence, Adriana discovers that Curtis has returned earlier than expected. She feels anxious about how to handle the situation, especially given the tension in the household. Inside, Belinda, Curtis’s rebellious daughter, is upset, and Curtis demands that Adriana apologize. The interaction is fraught with discomfort as Adriana and Belinda exchange reluctant apologies, revealing underlying conflicts and misunderstandings.
Curtis sternly reprimands Belinda for her disrespect toward Adriana, asserting Adriana’s position as his future wife and Belinda’s elder. The confrontation escalates as Belinda lashes out emotionally, mentioning her late mother and challenging Curtis’s authority. Curtis, however, remains firm and insists on respect and sincere apology from Belinda, while encouraging Adriana to stand her ground and not fear Belinda’s rebellious behavior.
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Chapter 34: Apologize
Matthew remained rooted in place, frozen in hesitation, while Adriana took the initiative and signed the resignation papers. The moment her pen touched the paper, the finality of their separation settled in—everything between her and Matthew was officially finished. No more connections, no more ties.
As she set the pen down, a heavy burden seemed to lift from her chest, leaving her feeling lighter than she had in a long time. She inhaled deeply, her fingers brushing over her swollen face, then retrieved a mask from her pocket and carefully put it on. Standing tall, she walked away with a newfound confidence, her head held high.
“We’re all just human,” she reminded herself quietly. “No one is born better than anyone else.” She wasn’t less than anyone—simply an orphan, a truth beyond her control.
“Adriana, this isn’t over,” Natasha called out, her voice sharp and threatening as Adriana passed by without hesitation.
Adriana didn’t even glance back. She kept walking, her resolve unwavering. “Fine,” she thought, “bring it on.”
In just six months, she’d be leaving for Pastalia anyway. Nothing Natasha or Matthew could do now would hold her back.
“Adriana!” Matthew’s voice rang out behind her, panic evident as he tried to catch up.
Natasha’s eyes were red, her voice trembling with emotion. “Matthew! If you go after her today, our engagement is off!”
Matthew hesitated, turning to face Natasha. His chest tightened with anxiety, but after a moment of weighing his options, he chose to stay loyal to Natasha. He was too confident, too certain that Curtis’s interest in Adriana was only temporary. He believed that once Curtis lost interest, Adriana would return to him. He convinced himself Curtis wouldn’t remain interested in Adriana for long.
—
Clarke Residence.
Upon arriving at the villa, Adriana lingered in the garden, hoping the swelling on her face would subside before she went inside. She didn’t want Eva to worry unnecessarily.
“Mrs. Lincoln, you’re back! Mr. Lincoln… he’s back too,” Eva exclaimed nervously, spotting Adriana by the window and rushing out to greet her.
Adriana stood up, surprised. Curtis was back already? She thought he was supposed to arrive next Friday.
“Mr. Lincoln changed his schedule. I told him you came back today… That’s why he adjusted his plans. I probably shouldn’t have said anything,” Eva added hurriedly, guilt flickering across her face.
Adriana felt a sudden pang of anxiety. Curtis changed his mind? Was he upset? Was he reconsidering? She worried about how to explain the situation to keep Curtis on her side. If he backed out now, she’d be in serious trouble.
Inside the living room, Belinda stood beside the couch, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked visibly upset.
Curtis sat on the couch, his expression tense and heavy with unspoken frustration.
Adriana remained where she was, hesitant to approach. She feared getting caught in Curtis’s anger. After all, Curtis was technically her boss now.
“M-Mr. Lincoln,” Adriana said nervously.
Curtis glanced at her, his face unreadable. “Apologize.”
The word stung. Adriana felt hurt. Though she depended on Curtis now, it still wounded her that he hadn’t even tried to understand the situation before siding with his first love’s daughter.
“Sorry…” Adriana murmured.
“Sorry!” Belinda snapped sharply.
Both women said it simultaneously—Adriana reluctantly, Belinda angrily, as if forced.
They both froze afterward.
Adriana looked nervously at Belinda. Wait… who was supposed to apologize here?
Belinda shot her a glare. “Tattletale! Sorry!”
Adriana’s confusion deepened, and she glanced at Curtis.
Curtis looked slightly exasperated. “Why are you apologizing to her? She’s a boarding student at the art academy. I told her not to come back for a while and bother you, but she ignored that. She was rude and disrespectful.”
Adriana’s palms grew sweaty. She waved her hands quickly. “It’s fine, really. Belinda just speaks her mind. I… I’m actually quite fond of her.” Adriana had become quite skilled at saying things she didn’t truly mean—a habit she’d developed from dealing with Matthew.
“Hmph. Like I care if you like me,” Belinda muttered under her breath.
Curtis’s mood instantly turned icy again, and Adriana felt a chill run down her spine. “Belinda! I know you’re going through a rebellious phase, but Adriana is going to be my wife—she’s your elder. If I catch you disrespecting her again, you’re going straight back to the dorm and you won’t be coming back.”
Belinda began to cry, wiping her tears angrily as she shot him a glare. “You’re yelling at me because of her? Even my mom never yelled at me like this!”
Adriana’s heart nearly stopped. Oh no, now she’d brought up Curtis’s first love.
“If your mom were still here, she wouldn’t let you talk to your elders like that either!” Curtis stood, his gaze sharp as he stared down Belinda. “This is your last chance. Apologize sincerely, then move out.”
Adriana was stunned. He was really being this strict with his first love’s daughter?
“No… She doesn’t need to move out,” Adriana quickly interjected.
Curtis cut her off, looking at her intently. “You don’t have to indulge her or be afraid of her. You’re her elder. It’s okay to be firm with her.”
Conclusion
The chapter closes on a poignant moment of reckoning and resilience, as Adriana embraces the finality of her separation from Matthew and steps into a new chapter with quiet strength. Despite the emotional turmoil and the fractures in her relationships, she finds a renewed sense of self-worth and determination, reminding herself of her humanity and intrinsic value beyond her past struggles. The tension between Adriana, Curtis, and Belinda highlights the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of asserting authority and respect in fragile circumstances.
Curtis’s firm stance towards Belinda and his protective attitude towards Adriana signal a shift in their intertwined lives, underscoring themes of loyalty, boundaries, and the difficult path towards acceptance and understanding. Adriana’s hesitant but growing confidence suggests that, even amid conflict and uncertainty, healing and growth are possible when one refuses to be diminished by past wounds or external pressures. This chapter delicately balances vulnerability with strength, capturing the emotional depth of characters navigating change and the fragile hope of new beginnings.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile dynamics within the Clarke residence, where Adriana must navigate not only Curtis’s stern expectations but also the simmering tensions with Belinda. As Adriana grapples with her new role and the weight of Curtis’s authority, readers can anticipate a complex interplay of power, loyalty, and unresolved emotions that threaten to unravel the fragile peace she’s trying to maintain. The emotional stakes are high, and every interaction could tip the balance toward conflict or uneasy truce.
Meanwhile, the unresolved feelings and decisions from Matthew and Natasha’s confrontation linger in the background, casting shadows over Adriana’s future. The question of whether Matthew’s confidence in Curtis’s fleeting interest is justified adds a layer of suspense, hinting at potential challenges Adriana may face from her past. This next chapter will explore how Adriana’s resilience is tested as she confronts both external pressures and internal doubts, setting the stage for pivotal developments in her journey.
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.