Matthew is consumed by a desperate need to find Adriana and make her listen to him, but he is also burdened by guilt over his upcoming marriage to Natasha. When his assistant informs him about a viral social media attack on Adriana, Matthew discovers that her classmates, paid by Cheryl, are behind the malicious posts. Furious, he orders the posts to be removed and instructs his assistant to contact the orphanage director to try to reason with Adriana, hoping to protect her from further harm.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Matthew is shocked to learn that Natasha, through Ms. Jones, has been undermining Adriana by pushing for an inspection of the orphanage, which is Adriana\u2019s last safe place. Despite this, Matthew feels conflicted and unable to be angry at Natasha, acknowledging the complicated and messy nature of his relationships with both women.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Adriana is troubled by Natasha\u2019s threats against the orphanage and prepares herself to confront Natasha at the Nera Club. When Matthew arrives at her motel room, demanding to see her, Adriana refuses to respond. Matthew arranges for her to have a better room, but Adriana declines, signaling her intention to leave soon.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Matthew finally confronts her, he admits to removing the harmful posts and pleads with her to come home and stop fighting him. Adriana rejects him firmly, refusing to fall for his lies again and declaring that there is nothing left between them. She tells him to stop pretending to care and reveals she never wants to see him again, even sarcastically congratulating him on his upcoming wedding.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 18: I Never Want to See You Again<\/p>\n
At this moment, Matthew\u2019s mind was consumed by a single, desperate urge: to find Adriana, pull her back to him, hold her down until she broke down in tears and finally listened to what he had to say. The thought of her defiance gnawed at him relentlessly.<\/p>\n
But then, a sharp pang of guilt washed over him as he thought of Natasha. *We\u2019re going to get married eventually,* he reminded himself, trying to quell the storm of emotions swirling inside. *Whatever I have with Adriana isn\u2019t going to last much longer.*<\/p>\n
Just as these conflicting feelings battled within him, his phone buzzed. It was his assistant. \u201cMr. Langford, a bunch of posts have just gone viral, attacking Adriana. It looks like some of her classmates started it, and now others are piling on, trashing her all over social media. Should I do something about it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Since Adriana had once been involved with Matthew, the assistant thought it best to check with him first before taking any action.<\/p>\n
Matthew furrowed his brows, grabbed his tablet, and began scrolling through the flood of posts. His face hardened with each hateful comment. The accusations were vicious\u2014claims that Adriana was involved in questionable relationships with older men, rumors about her chaotic private life. None of it was true, but the damage was already spreading.<\/p>\n
\u201cFind whoever started this and shut it down immediately,\u201d Matthew ordered sharply, rising from his chair as a sense of urgency gripped him. He quickly threw on his jacket, ready to leave. The online attacks were brutal, and he feared the stress might break Adriana or push her too far.<\/p>\n
*I promised to protect her, to give her everything she wanted,* he thought bitterly. *But she never listened. She always had to go her own way. And now, she\u2019s the one suffering.*<\/p>\n
As he was about to step out, his assistant\u2019s voice came through again, shaky with nervousness. \u201cMr. Langford, I found out Cheryl paid some of Adriana\u2019s classmates to post those things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s expression darkened further. Cheryl\u2019s boldness was only possible because she had Natasha\u2019s support behind her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWarn everyone involved. Do whatever it takes to remove those posts,\u201d Matthew instructed firmly. \u201cAlso, contact the orphanage director. Tell her to talk some sense into Adriana. There will be more opportunities to study abroad. This one isn\u2019t worth destroying everything over.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a pause on the other end. \u201cBut\u2026 didn\u2019t you tell me earlier to report the orphanage to the authorities for an inspection? You wanted me to push for their relocation or rebuilding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew froze, confusion and shock washing over him. \u201cWhat? I never said that.\u201d<\/p>\n
That orphanage was Adriana\u2019s last refuge, her final source of security. He wanted the director to help reason with her, not to tear the place apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Ms. Jones. She said she was acting on your behalf,\u201d the assistant stammered.<\/p>\n
Matthew stood silently, stunned. So it was Natasha behind this after all.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstood,\u201d he said quietly, rubbing his temples as he ended the call.<\/p>\n
*Natasha did this. But I can\u2019t be angry at her\u2014not when I was the one who hurt her first. And honestly, I have no right to be mad. My relationship with Adriana has always been tangled and messy. Natasha\u2019s anger is justified. Adriana isn\u2019t completely innocent either.*<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in her cramped motel room, Adriana sat upright in bed, wide awake. The weight of Natasha\u2019s threat against the orphanage pressed heavily on her mind. That meant she had no choice but to face Natasha at the Nera Club the next day.<\/p>\n
*What is Natasha planning now? More threats? Another beating from Rufus and his gang?* The uncertainty made her stomach churn.<\/p>\n
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. *No matter what happens, I won\u2019t back down this time. I have to be ready.*<\/p>\n
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana, open up,\u201d Matthew\u2019s voice called out, sharp and insistent.<\/p>\n
She remained silent, refusing to move.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you\u2019re in there,\u201d he said, his tone growing impatient.<\/p>\n
Still, there was no response.<\/p>\n
The hallway fell quiet, and Adriana thought he had left. But then, the motel owner appeared and opened the door for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look well-off. How could you let your girlfriend stay in such a rundown place?\u201d the owner scolded Matthew. \u201cAt least get her a nicer room with a window.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matthew handed over a card. \u201cGive her the best room you have.\u201d<\/p>\n
The owner smiled and accepted it without hesitation.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need,\u201d Adriana said, standing and shaking her head firmly. \u201cI might leave soon anyway. Don\u2019t bother switching rooms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without another word, the owner placed the card on the table and walked away.<\/p>\n
Adriana turned her gaze directly to Matthew. \u201cMr. Langford, it\u2019s late. What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI got those posts taken down,\u201d he said. \u201cCheryl paid some classmates to post them, but I\u2019ve handled it.\u201d His voice softened when he saw how exhausted she looked.<\/p>\n
Seeing her like this made him feel a mix of guilt and frustration\u2014guilt because she was hurting, frustration because she still refused to yield.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you had just listened earlier, none of this would\u2019ve happened,\u201d he muttered, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around her. \u201cWhat will it take for you to come home? Why do you always have to fight me? Just once, can\u2019t you let me win?\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice sounded almost like a plea.<\/p>\n
But to Adriana, it was sickening.<\/p>\n
He was the one who had dragged her through hell. He was the one causing her pain.<\/p>\n
Yet now, he was pretending to care, acting as if she was the one at fault\u2014as if she were the broken one.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew, I\u2019m not a teenager anymore,\u201d she said firmly, pushing him away and locking eyes with him. \u201cI\u2019m not falling for your lies again. There\u2019s nothing left between us. So please, stop showing up, and stop pretending you care. Congratulations on the wedding, by the way. But I never want to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter closes on a poignant note of fractured trust and unresolved pain, as both Matthew and Adriana grapple with the consequences of their tangled past. Matthew\u2019s desperate attempts to protect Adriana from external attacks reveal his lingering care, yet his frustration and guilt underscore the complexity of their fractured relationship. Meanwhile, Adriana\u2019s firm rejection of Matthew\u2019s advances marks a moment of painful clarity, where she asserts her independence and refuses to be drawn back into a cycle of hurt.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This emotional standoff highlights the deep wounds and misunderstandings that have shaped their connection, emphasizing themes of betrayal, resilience, and the struggle for self-worth. Despite the turmoil, both characters are confronted with the harsh reality that healing cannot be forced or rushed. Their story remains suspended in a fragile balance, where the past\u2019s echoes still hold sway, and the future remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and unresolved tensions between Matthew and Adriana. As Matthew\u2019s protective instincts clash with Adriana\u2019s fierce independence, their strained relationship teeters on the edge of collapse. The weight of past betrayals and current misunderstandings will likely surface, challenging both characters to confront the pain they\u2019ve caused each other. Readers can anticipate moments charged with raw emotion, where vulnerability and anger intertwine in unexpected ways.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the shadow of Natasha\u2019s influence looms larger, hinting at further complications and power struggles that could escalate the conflict. Adriana\u2019s determination to stand her ground against mounting pressures suggests that the upcoming chapter will explore her resilience and the consequences of her choices. The stage is set for confrontations that will test loyalties and reveal hidden motives, leaving readers eager to discover who will emerge stronger and who might be broken by the unfolding storm.<\/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 18 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-23929","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\/23929","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=23929"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23929\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}