In this chapter, Adriana is confronted by Natasha in the pantry, who hands her a list of items needed for a trip, including condoms. This small detail stirs a painful reaction in Adriana, reminding her of her complicated and painful past with Matthew. She reflects bitterly on how, during their four years together, Matthew never took responsibility for contraception, preferring Adriana to take the pill, while now Natasha\u2019s needs seem to be treated differently.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the way to the airport, tension builds as Adriana drives silently, lost in her thoughts. Suddenly, a boy runs a red light, forcing her to brake hard and swerve, leading to a crash. Adriana\u2019s leg is trapped, and she panics, recalling a traumatic experience from her freshman year when she was locked in a crate and left to suffer alone. She pleads with Matthew not to leave her, but he coldly steps out of the car, leaving her trapped inside while escorting Natasha away.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s emotions explode as she feels abandoned and betrayed by Matthew, shouting at him through the window. Her panic intensifies, and she thrashes inside the car, unknowingly worsening her injuries. The situation becomes more dire when smoke from the engine signals danger, but people outside mistakenly believe everyone has escaped. Trapped and terrified, Adriana begins to count quietly, haunted by memories of her past trauma, as she wonders how long this nightmare will last.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 2: Will She Survive?<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Anna.\u201d Adriana had just ended her call when a soft voice called out to her. It was Natasha, standing quietly in the pantry.<\/p>\n
Adriana turned around, a flicker of unease crossing her face as she faced Natasha. There was something almost ethereal about her\u2014so gentle, so poised. Even her smile seemed to press down on Adriana\u2019s chest, making it hard to breathe.<\/p>\n
\u201cM-Ms. Jones, how can I help you?\u201d Adriana stammered, trying to steady her voice.<\/p>\n
Natasha stepped forward, holding out a small piece of paper. \u201cI just remembered there are a few things I need to grab for the trip. Could you help me with them?\u201d She handed Adriana a handwritten list.<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s eyes scanned the neat, delicate script\u2014so much like Natasha herself. Then one word stopped her cold: condoms.<\/p>\n
Her heart thudded painfully. That single word felt like a knife twisting in her gut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks. Keep this between us,\u201d Natasha whispered with a playful wink.<\/p>\n
Adriana nodded awkwardly, her cheeks burning. She almost bolted out of the pantry, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere.<\/p>\n
She thought back bitterly to her first time with Matthew\u2014her nineteenth birthday. He\u2019d surprised her with flowers and a cake. For an orphan like her, who had never even tasted birthday cake, that small gesture had swept her off her feet. She had given him everything after that.<\/p>\n
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. What a cruel joke life was.<\/p>\n
Girls really needed to be born rich, she thought. Otherwise, a single cake was all it took for a man to fool you.<\/p>\n
Four years with Matthew, and she had never once been responsible for buying condoms. He hated them, so he always insisted she take the pill.<\/p>\n
But for Natasha? Of course, he couldn\u2019t bear the idea of her taking pills. Too dangerous, right?<\/p>\n
On the drive to the airport, Adriana remained silent, her mind spinning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re running out of time. Step on it,\u201d Matthew said sharply, picking up on her mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Mr. Langford,\u201d Adriana replied, forcing herself to focus as she turned left at the green light.<\/p>\n
Just then, a boy suddenly dashed through the red light ahead. Adriana slammed on the brakes and swerved hard to avoid him, but the car skidded and crashed into the median.<\/p>\n
\u201cNatasha!\u201d Matthew shouted, instinctively pulling Natasha close to shield her as the impact shook the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, the speed wasn\u2019t too high. The driver\u2019s side took the brunt of the damage.<\/p>\n
The airbag exploded, trapping Adriana tightly against the seat. Her left leg was pinned painfully beneath the wreckage, sharp agony clouding her thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew\u2026\u201d Her voice trembled with fear. \u201cHelp me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She was terrified of being trapped, unable to move. The memory of freshman year flashed through her mind\u2014when Mia had shoved her into a wooden crate and locked it tight. No matter how much she screamed or cried, no one had come.<\/p>\n
The crushing pressure and stale air had been unbearable, pure torment.<\/p>\n
If the janitor hadn\u2019t noticed the urine stain on the floor the next morning, she might have died in that box.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew!\u201d Panic surged as she saw him start to climb out of the car. Forgetting Natasha was right there, she begged, \u201cDon\u2019t leave me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet the rescue team and police handle this,\u201d Matthew said coldly.<\/p>\n
He stepped out, shielding Natasha behind him, his face dark with tension as he called for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s still inside,\u201d Natasha said quietly, casting a suspicious glance at Matthew. Assistants usually didn\u2019t address their boss by name so casually.<\/p>\n
Matthew pulled Natasha close, his eyes flickering with icy contempt toward Adriana trapped inside. Then he checked his watch. \u201cThere\u2019s no time. The crash wasn\u2019t severe. We\u2019ll catch a cab to the airport. They\u2019ll get her out.\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded at Adriana with a look that said more than words, then turned and walked away with Natasha.<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s heart shattered. She pounded on the window, struggling desperately, but Matthew never glanced back.<\/p>\n
She knew why\u2014he was afraid Natasha would misunderstand.<\/p>\n
As he disappeared from view, all her pent-up emotions exploded. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, \u201cMatthew! Help me\u2026 You promised you\u2019d never leave me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLiar! You\u2019re a liar, Matthew! You said you\u2019d protect me!\u201d<\/p>\n
Her breakdown spiraled out of control. The mix of despair and panic sent her into a wild frenzy, thrashing helplessly in the cramped space.<\/p>\n
At first, her injuries hadn\u2019t seemed too bad. But now, she was hurting herself without even realizing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me out\u2026 Let me out!\u201d she screamed, pounding on the glass with frantic energy.<\/p>\n
The old trauma from that freshman year nightmare clouded her mind, making it impossible to think clearly\u2014until a sharp smell of smoke from the engine filled the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe car\u2019s on fire!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no one inside! I saw them leave!\u201d people shouted from outside.<\/p>\n
Trapped and hopeless, Adriana sat back, counting quietly under her breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne, two, three, four\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
That night Mia locked her away, she had counted all the way to 6,788.<\/p>\n
Now she wondered, trembling: At what number would this nightmare finally end?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In this chapter, Adriana\u2019s vulnerability is laid bare, revealing the depths of her emotional and physical entrapment. The juxtaposition of past traumas with the present crisis intensifies the sense of helplessness she feels, underscoring the painful reality of broken promises and fractured trust. The tension between Adriana and Matthew, marked by his cold detachment and her desperate pleas, highlights the complexity of their relationship and the harsh consequences of emotional abandonment.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet, amid the chaos and fear, there is a poignant reminder of Adriana\u2019s resilience, even as she grapples with the shadows of her past. Her silent counting becomes a fragile thread of hope, a way to anchor herself in the storm. This chapter captures the rawness of pain and the struggle to hold on, setting the stage for a journey that will test the limits of healing and forgiveness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Adriana\u2019s harrowing ordeal, as the immediate danger surrounding the car crash escalates and the tension between her and Matthew reaches a boiling point. Readers will be drawn into the raw vulnerability of Adriana\u2019s trapped state, feeling every pang of fear and betrayal as she grapples not only with physical pain but also with the emotional wounds Matthew\u2019s coldness has inflicted. The complex dynamics between Adriana, Matthew, and Natasha are set to unravel further, hinting at secrets and motives that may challenge loyalties and trust.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the story unfolds, expect the emotional stakes to intensify\u2014Adriana\u2019s past trauma will collide with her present crisis, forcing her to confront fears she thought she had buried. Meanwhile, Matthew\u2019s actions and Natasha\u2019s inscrutable presence will raise questions about power, control, and protection. The simmering undercurrents of jealousy, resentment, and desperation promise a gripping exploration of human fragility and resilience. Prepare for moments that will test the characters\u2019 limits and reveal the true depth of their connections.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 2 When Time Tried to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-comeback-queens-crown-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23913\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}