Curtis offers to drive Adriana home, and she quietly accepts, leaving the gala behind. Matthew, angry and shocked by her defiance, tries to follow but is held back by Natasha, who reminds him of the important guests present. The crowd watches the tense moment, speculating about the complicated relationships between Matthew, Natasha, Curtis, and Adriana. Natasha, who has been abroad but closely monitoring Matthew, is determined to keep him and sees Adriana as a threat, especially since Adriana has become involved with Curtis, a powerful heir in Harborton society.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matthew, distracted and uneasy, decides to leave the event early with Natasha but remains troubled by Adriana\u2019s actions. He insists that Adriana stay away from Curtis, feeling betrayed that she did not listen. Meanwhile, Curtis drives Adriana to her apartment, offering marriage as a backup plan, which she neither accepts nor rejects. Adriana returns to the apartment Matthew had given her four years ago, a place that once symbolized hope and a future with him. Now, feeling like a stranger, she packs her few belongings and leaves, saying a quiet goodbye to the home and to Matthew.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adriana moves into a modest motel near her college campus, planning to focus on her studies and apply for graduate school abroad. The motel innkeeper\u2019s kind demeanor gives her a sense of safety and reassurance. Meanwhile, Matthew returns to Adriana\u2019s apartment, finding it empty and immaculate. Frustrated and worried, he calls her but gets no answer. Realizing she has truly left, he asks his friend Darren to find her, struggling with his feelings as he prepares to marry Natasha but cannot let go of Adriana.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Curtis gave a firm nod. \u201cI\u2019ll drive you home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana hesitated only briefly before quietly stepping out with him, the hum of the gala fading behind her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana!\u201d Matthew\u2019s voice cut through the air, sharp and filled with anger. She had never defied him like this before.<\/p>\n
Without a second thought, he started to follow her, completely disregarding the eyes of the crowd gathered at the event, all watching the tense scene unfold.<\/p>\n
Natasha quickly intervened, grabbing his arm gently but firmly, her voice strained with effort. \u201cMatthew, my dad and some important guests are here. Let me introduce you.\u201d<\/p>\n
That brought Matthew back to reality. He glanced at Natasha and gave a slight nod, the anger in his eyes dimming just a little.<\/p>\n
Around them, the onlookers, drawn in by the unexpected drama, exchanged stunned glances. No one could quite piece together the connection between Matthew, Curtis, and the striking woman who had just walked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew\u2019s really serious about Natasha, huh? It\u2019s rare to see genuine love in our circle,\u201d one whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cNatasha\u2019s smart. Her family wants a foothold in the Moweland market, so she marries a guy from there. Once the thrill dies down, she divorces him and comes back for Matthew. Either way, she wins,\u201d another murmured knowingly.<\/p>\n
A few socialites leaned in, their voices hushed but full of intrigue.<\/p>\n
Natasha was a master at playing the game, always knowing the right moment to make her move. She married strategically, and despite her divorce, returning to Haldoria meant she could still claim Matthew\u2014and maintain her status as the envy of every wealthy wife.<\/p>\n
Linking her arm through Matthew\u2019s, Natasha shot a sharp glance at Adriana\u2019s retreating figure.<\/p>\n
I underestimated Adriana. She actually got involved with Curtis.<\/p>\n
Though Natasha had spent recent years abroad, she had kept a close eye on Matthew\u2019s every move. She understood men\u2019s minds well. When Adriana first appeared, Natasha dismissed her as no real threat.<\/p>\n
She believed that as long as she returned, Matthew would remain hers.<\/p>\n
So she hadn\u2019t interfered\u2014until now.<\/p>\n
Now that she was back, she had to ensure Adriana walked away on her own accord.<\/p>\n
What surprised her was Adriana\u2019s ability to get close to the Lincolns.<\/p>\n
The Lincolns were a pillar of Harborton society, their wealth rooted deep in old money and powerful connections. Curtis was one of their most promising heirs. Natasha had assumed Matthew\u2019s dominance in Haldoria was unchallenged, but Curtis was a man Matthew could not afford to cross.<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s voice broke through Natasha\u2019s thoughts. \u201cI\u2019m not feeling well. Let\u2019s leave early,\u201d he said, distracted, his mind still tangled with thoughts of Adriana. He wanted to find her, to demand what she was thinking.<\/p>\n
I told her to stay away from Curtis. Why didn\u2019t she listen?<\/p>\n
Natasha glanced at him, a flicker of worry crossing her eyes, but she quickly masked it with a calm smile. \u201cAlright. Let\u2019s go after you say hello to my dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew squeezed her hand in response.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m going to marry Natasha. I\u2019ve loved her for years and waited for her return.<\/p>\n
Adriana? She\u2019s just someone I call when I feel like it.<\/p>\n
Curtis drove Adriana back to her apartment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for everything today, Mr. Lincoln,\u201d Adriana said as she stepped out, giving him a small, respectful bow.<\/p>\n
She was grateful\u2014not only for his help at the station but also for the way he had stood up for her at the gala.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy offer still stands,\u201d Curtis said with a hint of a smile. \u201cIf you ever decide to marry me, just say the word.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana didn\u2019t decline. That offer was her fallback plan, a safety net for when she had nowhere else to turn.<\/p>\n
After Curtis drove away, Adriana stepped inside her modest rental.<\/p>\n
She looked around, suddenly feeling like a stranger in the space.<\/p>\n
Four years earlier, Matthew had brought her here from the hospital, telling her this would be her home.<\/p>\n
She had been so happy that day.<\/p>\n
Never before had she had a place to call her own. Growing up in an orphanage and later living in shared dorms meant she was always surrounded by others.<\/p>\n
So this apartment\u2014a luxurious unit in one of Haldoria\u2019s most prestigious neighborhoods\u2014had once meant everything to her.<\/p>\n
She had cherished it deeply. Back then, she would clean every corner until it gleamed.<\/p>\n
In her youthful innocence, she even imagined this would be the home she shared with Matthew.<\/p>\n
Now, her eyes pricked with tears. She swallowed hard, fighting back the sobs as she quietly gathered her belongings.<\/p>\n
She was walking away from the place she had called home for four years.<\/p>\n
This was Matthew\u2019s gift to her, but she knew she couldn\u2019t stay here any longer.<\/p>\n
After an hour of careful packing, she managed to fit all she owned into a single suitcase and a small bag.<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t have much\u2014barely any clothes.<\/p>\n
Dragging her suitcase to the door, she paused and glanced back one last time.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodbye. Goodbye, Matthew,\u201d she whispered softly.<\/p>\n
Adriana made her way to a modest motel near her college campus.<\/p>\n
At the front desk, she inquired about a long-term stay. The rate was $30 per day, but if she committed to a full month, the price dropped to $900.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t fancy, but it was far more affordable than renting her own place.<\/p>\n
The woman at the desk, with a calm, steady voice and a Northern accent, struck up a casual conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a senior, right? Why stay so close to campus?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana smiled faintly. \u201cI\u2019m applying to study abroad for grad school. If that doesn\u2019t work out, I\u2019ll stay here for my Master\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
The innkeeper nodded approvingly. \u201cYou\u2019ve got your head in the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something about her voice made Adriana feel a little safer.<\/p>\n
Staying here felt like the right decision.<\/p>\n
Back in her room, Adriana sat on the bed, staring blankly ahead.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow, she planned to see her advisor. She was determined to earn that spot abroad.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, after dropping Natasha off at her family\u2019s house, Matthew drove straight to Adriana\u2019s apartment.<\/p>\n
He punched in the passcode and stepped inside, frustration tightening his jaw. \u201cAdriana! Come out!\u201d<\/p>\n
He had come ready to argue, but the apartment was immaculate and silent. The emptiness weighed heavily on his chest.<\/p>\n
He hurried through the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen\u2014no sign of her anywhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe thinks she can just leave like this,\u201d he muttered, sinking onto the couch and lighting a cigarette.<\/p>\n
Is she just acting out? Or did I push too far, especially in front of Natasha?<\/p>\n
He leaned back and dialed her number.<\/p>\n
Adriana had always listened to him before. He figured a few gentle words would bring her back in line.<\/p>\n
As for Curtis, Matthew didn\u2019t believe for a second that man would challenge him over Adriana.<\/p>\n
In business, it was all about interest. Friends or enemies didn\u2019t matter\u2014only what you could gain. The idea of someone opposing him for Adriana seemed ridiculous.<\/p>\n
The phone rang with no answer.<\/p>\n
His irritation slowly morphed into unease.<\/p>\n
For four years, Adriana had followed his every command.<\/p>\n
But now, she had truly walked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cDarren, I need you to find out where Adriana went,\u201d Matthew said to his close friend Darren Maldonado.<\/p>\n
Darren was the only person who knew about his relationship with Adriana.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo your pet finally ran off, huh?\u201d Darren teased. \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you? She was bound to escape eventually. Looks like karma\u2019s catching up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCut it out. Just find her,\u201d Matthew snapped, his voice rough, teeth clenched. He didn\u2019t even understand why he felt so unsettled.<\/p>\n
I know that once I marry Natasha, I\u2019ll have to let Adriana go.<\/p>\n
But why is it so damn hard? Why can\u2019t I just let her go?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This chapter delicately unravels the tangled emotions and power dynamics between Adriana, Matthew, and Natasha, highlighting the painful crossroads where love, control, and ambition collide. Adriana\u2019s quiet defiance and decision to leave the apartment she once dreamed of sharing with Matthew mark a poignant moment of self-assertion and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Matthew\u2019s internal struggle reveals a man caught between his calculated plans and the unexpected depth of his feelings, unable to fully relinquish the hold Adriana has on his heart.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The themes of longing, loss, and the complexities of relationships are woven through the characters\u2019 interactions, underscoring the fragility beneath their poised exteriors. As Adriana seeks a new path with tentative hope, and Matthew grapples with his own conflicted desires, the chapter leaves us suspended in a moment of uncertainty\u2014where the past\u2019s shadows linger, and the future remains unwritten, shaped by choices yet to be made.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and shifting alliances that have begun to surface. As Adriana takes tentative steps toward independence, the weight of her past and her complicated ties to Matthew and Curtis will continue to press on her, forcing her to confront difficult choices about loyalty and self-worth. Meanwhile, Matthew\u2019s growing unease hints at cracks in his carefully controlled world, suggesting that his attempts to assert dominance may not be as straightforward as he believes.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tensions are likely to rise as Natasha\u2019s calculated moves and Curtis\u2019s quiet influence create a backdrop of subtle power struggles, all while Adriana strives to carve out a place for herself beyond the shadows of her past. The emotional stakes are high, and the next chapter will explore how far each character is willing to go to protect their desires\u2014and what they might lose in the process. Readers can expect a mix of vulnerability, confrontation, and the stirring of new alliances that will keep them eagerly turning the pages.<\/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 12 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-23923","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\/23923","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=23923"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23923\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}