In this chapter, Matthew hesitates before opening the door to Adriana, reluctantly agreeing not to force her into marriage and offering her an extravagant 30 million, a gesture Adriana finds absurd given her past happiness with simple things. Natasha\u2019s impatience grows as she questions Matthew about Adriana\u2019s willingness to give Jimmy a chance, but Jimmy dismisses Adriana, demanding she be tested for STDs. Adriana boldly confronts them both, revealing her past with Matthew and accusing him of offering to keep her as a mistress for money, which infuriates Matthew and Natasha.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tension escalates when Natasha attempts to strike Adriana, only for Adriana to catch her wrist and slap her across the face in front of everyone. This shocking act surprises the crowd and Matthew, who realizes that Adriana has found a newfound strength, possibly inspired by Curtis\u2019s promise to rebuild the orphanage. The employees begin to gossip, questioning the true nature of Adriana\u2019s relationship with Matthew and turning the humiliation intended for her back onto Natasha.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Natasha loses control and calls for Matthew\u2019s intervention, he instinctively slaps Adriana, an act that horrifies him because it contradicts the promise he made to protect her years ago. Despite the slap, Adriana remains calm and declares to Matthew that they are even now, signaling the end of their obligations to each other. She then leaves the room with tears in her eyes but a faint smile, heading to the Personnel Department to resign, leaving the HR manager and Matthew stunned by the dramatic confrontation and Adriana\u2019s firm decision.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 33: We\u2019re Even Now<\/p>\n
Matthew didn\u2019t open the door immediately. Instead, he halted Adriana in her tracks and reluctantly agreed not to force her into marrying anyone. On top of that, he casually offered her a staggering 30 million.<\/p>\n
Generous, wasn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n
But to Adriana, the sum felt absurd\u2014after all, Matthew would easily spend that much on a single handbag for Natasha.<\/p>\n
Life suddenly seemed like a cruel joke to her.<\/p>\n
When she was nineteen, she didn\u2019t need millions to be happy. A simple cake worth thirty dollars and a modest bouquet could fill her with such joy that she\u2019d lie awake all night, smiling.<\/p>\n
Now, at twenty-three, the idea of 30 million sounded utterly ridiculous.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew.\u201d Natasha\u2019s voice came sharply from outside the door, her patience clearly wearing thin.<\/p>\n
With no other option, Matthew finally opened it.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew\u2026\u201d Natasha forced a tight smile the moment the door swung open, trying to maintain her composure in front of the curious onlookers. \u201cHow did the conversation with Anna go? Is she willing to give Jimmy a chance?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jimmy snorted dismissively, still clearly reluctant. \u201cMs. Jones? Given her situation, I need to investigate further. If she wants to marry me, she should get tested for STDs first. Who knows what she might be carrying?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear. \u201cI think Mr. Langford would be the best judge of whether I have any STDs. After all, he\u2019s the only man I\u2019ve ever been with. And when he convinced me to sleep with him, he said he wanted to date me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her gaze locked onto Matthew\u2019s, demanding an answer.<\/p>\n
Back then, when she was still innocent and naive, she had quietly asked him after their night together, \u201cAre we together?\u201d He had said yes\u2026<\/p>\n
Matthew\u2019s expression darkened instantly, his brow furrowing as he silently warned her to stop talking.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we were dating, Ms. Jones was still overseas, living with some foreign man as his wife. So technically, she was the one who came between us.\u201d Adriana caught the change in Natasha\u2019s face\u2014her expression growing more strained by the second\u2014and decided to lay it all out. \u201cOh, and by the way, your fianc\u00e9 just offered to \u2018keep\u2019 me for 30 million a year. Said I wouldn\u2019t have to marry anyone if I became his mistress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana!\u201d Matthew\u2019s voice was sharp with anger. She was behaving like a woman on the edge of losing control, nothing like the composed, considerate girl he once knew.<\/p>\n
Natasha\u2019s hands trembled with fury. Her eyes blazed with rage as she swung her arm, aiming to strike Adriana.<\/p>\n
But Adriana caught her wrist effortlessly. Then, in front of Matthew and the stunned crowd, she slapped Natasha across the face.<\/p>\n
Adriana held onto Curtis\u2019s promise to rebuild the orphanage tightly in her heart.<\/p>\n
Her greatest fear had vanished. She was just an orphan, after all, with nothing left to lose\u2014already at rock bottom.<\/p>\n
The entire room froze, eyes wide with shock. Natasha stared at her in disbelief.<\/p>\n
Did she just slap me?<\/p>\n
That orphan? The girl no one dared to touch?<\/p>\n
Natasha laughed bitterly, clutching her cheek as she turned to Matthew in stunned silence.<\/p>\n
Matthew himself was taken aback.<\/p>\n
He had known Adriana for four years and had never once seen her hit anyone. Even when she was bullied, she never fought back.<\/p>\n
Back in freshman year, when Mia and Rufus shoved her head into a toilet, she didn\u2019t resist at all.<\/p>\n
But now\u2026 she had actually stood up and fought back? Where had this courage come from? Curtis?<\/p>\n
The more Matthew thought about it, the angrier he became.<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t even explain the depth of his emotions. It wasn\u2019t just anger\u2014it was something more complicated, a prickling irritation.<\/p>\n
He had been with Adriana for four years, yet he never made her feel safe enough to stand up for herself like that. How could Curtis have given her the strength he never did?<\/p>\n
And she hadn\u2019t just hit anyone\u2014she had hit Natasha.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my god\u2026\u201d one employee whispered, eyes wide. \u201cHas Adriana lost it? She always seemed so quiet and gentle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, and did you hear what she said? That she and Mr. Langford dated for four years\u2014is that true?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Mr. Langford didn\u2019t deny it\u2026 so I guess it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Ms. Jones was the other woman all along?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, the one who isn\u2019t loved is always the other woman. Even if Adriana dated him, Mr. Langford\u2019s heart belonged to Ms. Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n
The employees murmured among themselves, their curiosity piqued.<\/p>\n
These were the very people Natasha had gathered to witness Adriana\u2019s humiliation. Now, they were whispering about her instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew!\u201d Natasha finally lost control. She no longer cared about maintaining her elegant image.<\/p>\n
She screamed his name, desperate for him to intervene and save her dignity.<\/p>\n
Instinctively, Matthew moved to protect Natasha. Without hesitation, he slapped Adriana.<\/p>\n
Adriana didn\u2019t flinch or dodge. She hadn\u2019t expected the slap.<\/p>\n
The moment his hand landed, Matthew\u2019s face twisted with panic.<\/p>\n
Four years ago, when he first brought Adriana home, he had promised her, \u201cFrom now on, I won\u2019t ever let anyone hurt you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet here he was, the one who struck her.<\/p>\n
Adriana met his gaze, an odd calmness settling within her.<\/p>\n
Love could be wild and passionate, but when it ended, it could be as still and quiet as a calm lake.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew, we\u2019re even now,\u201d Adriana said, tears shimmering in her eyes but a faint smile playing on her lips.<\/p>\n
Even. From this moment forward, neither of them owed the other anything.<\/p>\n
Without another word, she turned and left the room, heading straight to the Personnel Department.<\/p>\n
The HR manager stood at the doorway, eyes wide, still processing the chaotic scene that had just unfolded.<\/p>\n
When Adriana stopped before her, the manager looked confused.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to sign the papers,\u201d Adriana said firmly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.<\/p>\n
The manager nervously glanced toward Matthew, unsure of what would come next.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In this chapter, Adriana\u2019s transformation from a quiet, gentle soul to a woman who boldly stands up for herself marks a poignant turning point in her emotional journey. The raw confrontation with Matthew and Natasha reveals the deep wounds and unspoken truths that have shaped her, while also highlighting the complexity of love, betrayal, and self-worth. Adriana\u2019s courage to face her past and claim her independence, even in the face of humiliation and pain, resonates as a powerful assertion of her dignity and strength.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The final moments between Adriana and Matthew, marked by his unexpected slap and her calm declaration of being \u201ceven now,\u201d encapsulate the bittersweet end of their complicated relationship. It is a quiet yet profound release, where both acknowledge the debts of the past and choose to move forward separately. Adriana\u2019s decision to sign the papers symbolizes her reclaiming control over her life, embracing a future unbound by old promises or pain, and stepping into a new chapter with resilience and hope.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the aftermath of Adriana\u2019s bold declaration and the tension that now lingers heavily between her and Matthew. As she takes control of her fate by stepping into the Personnel Department to sign the papers, readers will witness a pivotal moment where Adriana\u2019s resilience and determination are put to the ultimate test. The emotional undercurrents between her and Matthew are far from resolved, and the consequences of their confrontation are bound to ripple through their fragile relationship.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Expect to see characters grappling with shifting loyalties and unspoken regrets, as the power dynamics within their circle are challenged like never before. The simmering conflict between Adriana and Natasha also hints at further complications, with emotions running high and alliances uncertain. Will Adriana find the strength to reclaim her independence, or will the shadows of the past continue to haunt her? The next chapter will unravel these questions with a mix of raw emotion and unexpected twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.<\/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 33 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-23944","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\/23944","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=23944"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23944\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}