Adriana arrives nervously at Curtis Lincoln\u2019s house, soaked and disheveled from the rain. The housemaid Eva kindly lets her in, offering slippers, a shawl, and lemon tea, which comforts Adriana amidst her anxiety. Curtis soon appears, dressed casually and somewhat blunt, noticing Adriana\u2019s pitiful state and instructing Eva to help her shower and change into clean clothes. Despite his sharp tone, Curtis shows a measure of kindness by giving Adriana medicine and preparing a prenuptial agreement for them to discuss.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
After freshening up in clothes borrowed from Curtis\u2019s niece, Adriana faces Curtis in the living room. He outlines the terms of their proposed marriage: a contract lasting three to five years, no divorce until his grandfather passes, no physical obligations, and a private arrangement where Adriana will act as the granddaughter-in-law. Curtis offers her a secondary credit card and promises that the apartment will be hers after the divorce. Adriana is shocked by the businesslike nature of the deal but finds it generous and tempting.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana raises the issue of studying abroad, expressing that building her own skills and knowledge is more important than money or status. Curtis agrees to sponsor her studies after the marriage ends but insists that during the marriage she cannot be away, as the union is meant to provide emotional support for his grandfather. He chose Adriana because she is an orphan with no complicated family ties, patient, and not greedy, making her an ideal candidate for this arrangement.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite the attractive offer, Adriana declines because missing the opportunity to study abroad now would jeopardize her future. Curtis leaves the door open for negotiation but makes it clear the study abroad condition is non-negotiable. Adriana prepares to leave, grateful for his help but determined to pursue her own path. Curtis notices her bruises and insists on arranging a safe ride home.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside, Matthew waits anxiously, trying to contact Adriana without success. His mood darkens when he sees her arriving in a luxurious car driven by a chauffeur, limping but composed. His concern and confusion grow as he wonders where she has been so late at night.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a07 The Prenuptial Agreement\u00a0<\/p>\n
The doorbell rang. Adriana stood outside, nervous and fidgety.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housemaid, Eva, answered, a little surprised to see Adriana standing there, soaked and disheveled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss\u2026\u201d Eva didn\u2019t know what happened but still let her in. She handed Adriana a pair of fresh slippers and thoughtfully draped a shawl over her shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Lincoln\u2019s on a video call. He told me you\u2019d be coming. Just wait in the living room for a bit,\u201d she said gently. \u201cI\u2019ll make you\u00a0<\/p>\n
some lemon tea.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana was a little touched. She rarely encountered such kindness from strangers. Eva\u2019s warmth put her at ease.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She glanced nervously around at the house\u2019s decor, too afraid to sit down, worried she might dirty Curtis\u2019s pristine sofa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was obvious\u2013Curtis was cultured, clean, and rich. Definitely a gentleman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
About three minutes later, Curtis came out of his study.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t keep her waiting long.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was wearing loungewear, probably just showered. His hair was damp, casually tousled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked about Matthew\u2019s age, but with sharper, more intense features that would do well in showbiz.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana suddenly felt small, doubting herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why would someone like him want to marry her?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cM\u2013Mr. Lincoln,\u201d she greeted softly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis glanced at her drenched, pitiful state and paused. \u201cWhat happened? Save the world on your way here, huh?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana froze, head down in embarrassment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not exactly the gentlemanly vibe she expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEva, take her for a shower and get her some clean clothes.\u201d Curtis frowned, eyeing her up and down. \u201cAnyone walking in would think I picked up a stray.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Though his tone was sharp, he turned and grabbed some medicine, mixing it in water before handing it to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana was a little overwhelmed. Kindness wasn\u2019t something she got often. \u201cTh\u2013thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDrink up, take a hot shower. We\u2019ll talk after.\u201d He picked up a contract\u2014a prenuptial agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana nodded and downed the medicine in one go, trailing after the maid like a lost puppy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis blinked, raising his hand to stop her, but it was too late. Wasn\u2019t the water hot? Wasn\u2019t the medicine bitter? She just gulped it all down like it was nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This Adriana\u2026 is kinda interesting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u05db\u05d51\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Adriana came out of the bathroom, she was surprised to see clean, dry clothes already laid out on the guest bed\u2013a loose. simple T\u2013shirt and a pair of shorts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eva knocked and came in, smiling. \u201cMiss, these are Mr. Lincoln\u2019s niece\u2019s clothes. She stayed here for a few days not long ago. They\u2019re brand new, already washed. I hope you don\u2019t mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana quickly waved her hands. \u201cNo, no, I don\u2019t mind\u2026 I just didn\u2019t want to get them dirty\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine. She has plenty of clothes. This set\u2019s yours now.\u201d Eva chuckled, placed the lemon tea on the table, and left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana got dressed and glanced at herself. Her legs were long and pale, but the shorts exposed all her bruises and scars from the accident. The sight was honestly a little depressing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After hesitating for a while, she finally dried her hair and walked out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis was still in the living room, apparently on a call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana stayed behind the wall, too scared to interrupt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis spotted her, ended the call, and picked up the prenup. \u201cShall we talk?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana nodded, stepping forward. \u201cMr. Lincoln, you can go over the terms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He placed the agreement on the table. \u201cMarry me. The marriage will last for three to five years. No divorce until my grandfather passes. No physical obligations. The marriage stays private. You\u2019ll play the role of the granddaughter\u2013in\u2013law. Here\u2019s a secondary credit card. Spend it freely while we\u2019re married. Once we divorce, this apartment in Haldoria is yours. Everything else is listed in the\u00a0<\/p>\n
contract.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana stared at him in shock. This didn\u2019t sound like a marriage negotiation\u2013more like a business deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still\u2026 the offer was insanely generous.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How did something like this just fall into her lap?\u00a0<\/p>\n
A husband in name only, an unlimited credit card, and a house after divorce?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about studying abroad\u2026 \u201d Adriana carefully brought it up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She admitted the deal was tempting. But building herself up mattered more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Money runs out. Skills and knowledge were what would keep her afloat after Matthew.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis studied her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When he laid out the offer, she hadn\u2019t been that excited. But at the mention of studying abroad, her eyes lit up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can sponsor your studies overseas, but I need to be upfront with you.\u201d He paused. \u201cThe reason I need this marriage is to give my grandfather peace of mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana got it. That\u2019s why he wanted someone like her\u2013an orphan with no family or background. Marrying into another powerful family would complicate a future divorce. And this wasn\u2019t about love; it was just an obligation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Orphans like her were easy to manage. No strings attached, minimal trouble.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And from his perspective, the terms he was offering were more than generous. He wasn\u2019t worried about her pulling any stunts\u00a0<\/p>\n
later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason I picked you was because I saw how you handled Matthew at the club. You were patient and attentive. Just the type my grandfather would like. And you\u2019ve turned me down multiple times, which tells me you\u2019re not greedy. But if you want to study abroad, I\u2019ll need you to wait until after my grandfather passes, after we divorce.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis spread his hands apologetically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was being clear\u2013what he wanted was emotional support for his grandfather.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Studying abroad meant being apart, which wouldn\u2019t work during the marriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s face dimmed. Senior year was the best time to apply for overseas programs. If she missed this window, everything could change in three to five years. She didn\u2019t want to lose this chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mr. Lincoln\u2026\u201d she said softly. The title of Mrs. Lincoln and a 30 million annual salary couldn\u2019t compare to her desire to build something for herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need to decide right away,\u201d he said. \u201cAside from studying abroad during marriage, any other terms are negotiable. My assistant will reach out again in a week.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was clear he was very satisfied with Adriana, which was why he was giving her another shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana stayed silent. She had already made up her mind. If this door closed, she\u2019d focus on getting into a program and work even harder to save for tuition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell\u2026 sorry to trouble you, Mr. Lincoln. I\u2019ll head out. Thank you for the medicine\u2026 and the clothes\u2026\u201d She glanced down at herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2026\u201d His gaze dropped to her legs, shocked by the bruises and purple welts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in a car accident,\u201d Adriana quickly explained. \u201cJust some bumps and bruises.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t press. \u201cIt\u2019s late. It\u2019s not safe for you to go out like this. I\u2019ll have my assistant drive you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana wanted to refuse, but seeing he\u2019d already made the call, she didn\u2019t argue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside Adriana\u2019s apartment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew pulled up and checked the time. He tried calling her, but she didn\u2019t pick up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rubbing his temples, he realized he might\u2019ve gone too far today. He figured he\u2019d stop by a shop to buy something to make it up to\u00a0<\/p>\n
her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But just as he opened the car door, a black Maybach pulled up. Adriana got out, bowed politely to the driver, and limped her way toward the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s face instantly darkened. Where the hell was she this late?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This chapter delicately explores the fragile intersection between obligation and desire, painting a poignant picture of Adriana\u2019s internal struggle. Despite the generous and pragmatic offer Curtis presents, it becomes clear that Adriana\u2019s heart yearns for more than just security\u2014she seeks autonomy and growth, especially through her dream of studying abroad. The prenuptial agreement, while practical and beneficial, symbolizes the complex compromises she must weigh between emotional survival and personal ambition.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis\u2019s unexpected kindness and the quiet understanding between them add layers to their evolving dynamic, hinting at mutual respect beneath the contractual terms. Yet, the emotional undercurrents reveal a deeper yearning for connection and self-worth, as Adriana navigates the painful aftermath of her accident and the uncertain path ahead. This chapter closes on a note of tentative hope, underscoring the resilience required to face difficult choices in pursuit of one\u2019s true self.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complex dynamics between Adriana and Curtis, as the prenuptial agreement sets the stage for a marriage that is anything but conventional. Readers can anticipate a tense negotiation of terms where Adriana\u2019s dreams and Curtis\u2019s family obligations collide, revealing more about their motivations and vulnerabilities. The emotional undercurrents hinted at in this chapter suggest that both characters will grapple with their own fears and desires, making every interaction charged with unspoken tension.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the shadow of Matthew\u2019s presence looms large, hinting at unresolved feelings and potential conflicts that could complicate Adriana\u2019s already fragile situation. As she steps into a world of privilege and power, her scars\u2014both physical and emotional\u2014serve as a reminder of her past struggles and the resilience she must summon. The forthcoming chapter will likely explore how Adriana navigates this new chapter of her life, balancing the allure of security against her fierce determination to forge her own path. The emotional stakes are high, and every decision could alter the course of her future.<\/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 7 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-23918","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\/23918","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=23918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23918\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}