Matthew coldly avoided Adriana, refusing to acknowledge her despite her desperate pleas. He was clearly punishing her, believing the cookies she brought were meant to provoke Natasha. Meanwhile, Mia, Camelia, and Rufus laughed cruelly at Adriana, joining Natasha in a mocking and hostile atmosphere. Adriana felt paralyzed by fear and painful memories of the torment she had endured from them since freshman year.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rufus taunted Adriana about Matthew\u2019s upcoming marriage to Natasha and accused her of trying to hook up with her future brother-in-law. The bullying intensified as Mia and Camelia threatened the orphanage Adriana cared for, warning her to behave or face its closure. Despite the physical and emotional abuse, Adriana remained silent and endured it all for the sake of the orphanage children, refusing to beg or show weakness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the torment escalated, Adriana tried to escape but was violently pushed into a freezing pond by Camelia. Matthew finally intervened, though reluctantly, choosing to protect Natasha\u2019s feelings over Adriana\u2019s dignity. He offered to send a driver for Adriana, but she declined, vowing never to love him again. The humiliation weighed heavily on both of them, especially Matthew, who feared regret.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
After leaving the scene soaked and broken, Adriana went directly to Curtis\u2019s home, her only hope for support. She had met Curtis at a club where Matthew was entertaining important clients, and although she had initially refused Curtis\u2019s dinner invitation and contractual marriage offer, she now saw him as her potential lifeline to gain power and escape her torment.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew deliberately avoided meeting Adriana\u2019s gaze, his eyes cold and distant. He cast a sharp, warning look at Mia before slipping silently into the study, shutting the door behind him without a word.<\/p>\n
No matter how much Adriana pleaded or struggled, her voice trembling with desperation, he refused to acknowledge her. It was clear he was punishing her, convinced that the cookies she had brought were meant to provoke Natasha.<\/p>\n
Mia\u2019s lips curled into a cruel smirk. The three of them\u2014Mia, Camelia, and Rufus\u2014burst into harsh, biting laughter, their voices sharp and merciless, almost demonic in their cruelty.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome sit, Anna,\u201d Natasha called out sweetly, her smile deceptively warm as she gestured for Adriana to join them.<\/p>\n
But Adriana was rooted to the spot, unable to move. Her legs felt as heavy as lead, and her mind was engulfed in a flood of painful memories\u2014memories of everything those three had done to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNatasha, isn\u2019t this Adriana? Our campus queen\u2026\u201d Rufus sneered, his words dripping with biting sarcasm.<\/p>\n
Natasha\u2019s face brightened with interest. \u201cOh? You\u2019re classmates? Wonderful, then get along,\u201d she said, her tone light but dismissive.<\/p>\n
Adriana stood frozen, a single thought screaming in her mind: Run.<\/p>\n
\u201cNatasha\u2026\u201d Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with fear and hesitation. \u201cI just remembered something at home. I need to leave. I\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Without waiting for a response, she spun around and bolted toward the door, as if her very life depended on escaping. But after only a few steps, her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed heavily onto the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s walk our classmate out,\u201d Mia said, stepping forward with a predatory grin, closing the distance between them with every word.<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s heart pounded fiercely in her chest. She wanted nothing more than to run away, to disappear. But her body betrayed her\u2014frozen, locked up from the inside out, as if paralyzed by fear.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t just the three of them she dreaded\u2014it was the entire nightmare she had lived through.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Can\u2019t get up?\u201d Rufus taunted, grabbing the back of her collar and yanking her roughly to her feet like a rag doll. \u201cOur campus queen isn\u2019t going to piss herself again, is she?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana lowered her head, her deaf left ear ringing painfully. Her face tightened, her skin burning with shame and hurt. She struggled to break free, but she couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew is getting married. To my sister. Now tell me\u2014how should we deal with you trying to hook up with my brother-in-law?\u201d Rufus sneered, slinging his arm over her shoulder and dragging her toward the door.<\/p>\n
Adriana knew Rufus well. He never needed an excuse to torment her.<\/p>\n
It began on the first day of freshman orientation, when she unwittingly caught the attention of a monster. She had rejected him publicly, and that rejection marked the start of her nightmare.<\/p>\n
From that moment on, Rufus used every opportunity to humiliate her\u2014stripping her, taking naked photos, burning her with cigarettes. Mia and Camelia joined in the abuse, beating her relentlessly.<\/p>\n
They locked her inside a wooden crate, forced her to sleep in filthy public restrooms. Whenever she resisted, they found new ways to break her spirit, to threaten the orphanage kids she cared for.<\/p>\n
She was the only child from the orphanage to make it to college. She was their hope.<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t afford to be expelled. No matter what they did to her, she had to endure it.<\/p>\n
Even if it meant swallowing nails, she would choke them down.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay something!\u201d Camelia kicked Adriana hard, irritation flashing in her eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s with the silent act? Matthew doesn\u2019t want you anymore, got it? And if you don\u2019t behave, we can shut down that crappy orphanage of yours anytime!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana lay on the cold grass, brushing dirt off her sleeves. She still had to wear this outfit tonight when she was supposed to meet Curtis. She wanted to make a good impression\u2014something she feared was now impossible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat, deaf and mute now too?\u201d Camelia slapped her across the face with a harsh crack.<\/p>\n
A housemaid passed by, witnessing everything but pretending not to see. Everyone here had silently agreed that these privileged children could do whatever they wished to Adriana.<\/p>\n
Still, Adriana remained silent. She never begged. She simply sat there, stubbornly enduring the abuse.<\/p>\n
Once, Rufus had asked her, \u201cWhat do you think about while you\u2019re sitting there getting beaten?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana never answered.<\/p>\n
The truth was, every time she was hurt, she thought, Maybe I should just die. Take these three down with me. Kill them all. It wouldn\u2019t even be that hard.<\/p>\n
But each time, she stopped herself. Because if she died, what would happen to the orphanage kids?<\/p>\n
The director had scraped together everything to send her to school. She couldn\u2019t die before repaying them.<\/p>\n
Over the years, Matthew had given her little. Just a supplementary card to cover whatever she needed. But what could she buy? The $40,000 bag she splurged on once was the most reckless thing she\u2019d ever done.<\/p>\n
During school, she still worked three part-time jobs every day. Every penny went back to the orphanage.<\/p>\n
\u201cShit! You\u2019re boring as hell,\u201d Rufus muttered, leaning against the wall and lighting a cigarette.<\/p>\n
Mia glanced at him. \u201cMatthew doesn\u2019t want her anymore. You\u2019ve been after her forever\u2014just take her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rufus\u2019s eyes gleamed briefly, but he sneered, \u201cDamaged goods. Why would I want her?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana pushed herself up and ignored their taunts, heading straight for the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell\u2014does she want to die?\u201d Camelia exploded, furious. They were used to being worshiped, and Adriana\u2019s defiance drove them wild.<\/p>\n
Matthew was planning to propose today, yet he still called Adriana over\u2014essentially giving them permission to torment her again. Camelia lost control.<\/p>\n
She charged forward and kicked Adriana hard in the back, sending her tumbling into the decorative pond.<\/p>\n
It was November. The cold had already settled over Haldoria, and the water was freezing.<\/p>\n
Adriana scrambled out, wiping her face with trembling hands.<\/p>\n
She couldn\u2019t tell if the wetness on her cheeks was tears, water, or a mixture of both.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n
At last, Matthew stepped outside, unable to bear watching any longer.<\/p>\n
Adriana understood why he hesitated to intervene. He didn\u2019t want to embarrass Natasha. He knew exactly what those three were doing, but he wanted Natasha to feel secure.<\/p>\n
Matthew chose his love over her.<\/p>\n
Natasha followed him, puzzled. \u201cAnna, how did you end up in the pond?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe fell in herself,\u201d Camelia said quickly, trying to cover up her cruelty.<\/p>\n
Adriana crawled from the pond, eyes locked on Matthew.<\/p>\n
Still, he said nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, I\u2019ll head home now\u2026\u201d Adriana\u2019s voice was breathless, desperate to escape the suffocating scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana\u2026\u201d Matthew called after her, his Adam\u2019s apple bobbing nervously. He almost stepped forward, then stopped himself, remembering Natasha. \u201cI\u2019ll have the driver take you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana glanced back one last time and forced a small, sad smile. \u201cNo, thanks\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She vowed that this would be the final time she ever looked at him with love.<\/p>\n
As she left, soaked and humiliated, Matthew felt a heavy stone settle in his chest. A deep unease gnawed at him\u2014he feared he would regret this moment.<\/p>\n
Back at the Clarke Residence, Adriana didn\u2019t have time to change.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, Matthew\u2019s home was close to Curtis\u2019s.<\/p>\n
She arrived there within fifteen minutes.<\/p>\n
She had first met Curtis at Haldoria\u2019s most exclusive club. That night, Matthew was entertaining some tycoons from Harborton, with Curtis among them.<\/p>\n
Adriana had delivered Matthew\u2019s jacket, and that was when Curtis first noticed her.<\/p>\n
From what his friends said, Adriana\u2019s face checked all of Curtis\u2019s boxes.<\/p>\n
Right in front of Matthew, Curtis asked for her number. Matthew didn\u2019t object.<\/p>\n
Curtis was clearly an important client.<\/p>\n
Later, Curtis invited her to dinner. She refused.<\/p>\n
Then he offered a contractual marriage outright, but she was terrified and blocked him.<\/p>\n
Now, Curtis was her only lifeline.<\/p>\n
She hoped to borrow his influence, to build her own power.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter closes on a poignant note of Adriana\u2019s silent suffering and resilience, underscoring the cruel reality she endures at the hands of those who should have shown her kindness. Despite the relentless torment and humiliation, she clings to a fragile hope, anchored by her unwavering commitment to the orphanage children who depend on her. Her quiet strength in the face of such adversity reveals a deep well of courage and determination, even as her heart breaks quietly beneath the weight of betrayal and isolation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Matthew\u2019s conflicted emotions hint at the complexity of love and loyalty, as he chooses to protect Natasha at Adriana\u2019s expense, leaving a painful rift between them. Adriana\u2019s decision to seek refuge with Curtis suggests a turning point, a tentative step toward reclaiming her agency and forging a new path. The chapter leaves us suspended in this delicate balance of despair and hope, where the scars of the past meet the uncertain promise of the future.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of Adriana\u2019s life, where desperation and determination collide. As she seeks refuge with Curtis, a man whose intentions remain unclear, the tension between her past tormentors and her fragile hopes for the future will intensify. The emotional weight of her humiliation and abandonment by Matthew will continue to haunt her, challenging her resolve to protect the orphanage and herself.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Matthew\u2019s internal conflict will become more palpable, hinting at the turmoil beneath his cold exterior. His hesitation and regret suggest that the choices he makes could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Adriana but also for the relationships that bind them all. The next chapter will explore the delicate balance between power, loyalty, and survival, leaving readers eager to uncover whether Adriana can find the strength to rise above the shadows that threaten to consume her.<\/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 6 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-23917","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\/23917","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=23917"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23917\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}