In Chapter 60 of \u201cWhen Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen,\u201d Adriana reflects on the extravagant lifestyle of Moonridge Bay, feeling both intrigued and out of place as she learns about the high costs associated with the luxury hotel. Curtis, her husband, playfully reminds her of their shared marital assets, which makes her acutely aware of her status as a contract wife in a world of wealth that feels foreign to her. The opulence surrounding them heightens her sense of disconnection, leaving her to grapple with feelings of inadequacy and curiosity about Curtis\u2019s true self beyond his affluent fa\u00e7ade.<\/p>\n
As they settle into their lavish hotel room, Adriana\u2019s anxiety intensifies. She accidentally bumps into Curtis, and he suggests she take a shower and rest, which brings her relief from the pressure of intimacy. Their conversation shifts to the topic of children, revealing Curtis\u2019s candid feelings about not wanting kids, which only deepens Adriana\u2019s confusion about their relationship. The atmosphere is charged with unspoken emotions, and she feels a growing distance between them, yet Curtis\u2019s gentle humor provides a momentary comfort amidst her turmoil.<\/p>\n
The next morning brings news of a family dinner arranged by Curtis\u2019s grandfather, Harold. Adriana\u2019s heart races at the thought of meeting his family, but Curtis\u2019s reaction reveals his concern about the event\u2019s nature. He explains that the dinner is a test for her, a way for the Lincolns to assess her worthiness as a potential wife. This revelation casts a shadow over the allure of Curtis\u2019s world, making Adriana acutely aware of her precarious position as a mere contract wife facing scrutiny.<\/p>\n
As the chapter unfolds, Adriana stands at a crossroads, torn between the glimmering allure of wealth and the harsh reality of her identity within the Lincoln family. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, she sees a flicker of hope in Curtis\u2019s protective demeanor. The distance between them begins to transform from a source of doubt into an opportunity for understanding and growth. Adriana resolves to confront the challenges ahead, determined to redefine her place within this elite world and to embrace her own truth, recognizing that healing is not merely a matter of time but also about the courage to forge her own path.<\/p>\n
**Chapter 60: The Family Dinner**<\/p>\n
Adriana found herself lost in thought, recalling a sensational gossip piece she had stumbled across not long ago. It claimed that Moonridge Bay was nothing more than a playground for the ultra-wealthy, where a single night\u2019s stay could cost a small fortune\u2014hundreds of thousands of dollars, to be precise. The mere idea of such extravagance lingered in her mind like an echo, both fascinating and bewildering.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much does one night here actually cost?\u201d she whispered to herself, her voice barely breaking the silence, a blend of curiosity and disbelief swirling within her.<\/p>\n
Curtis, ever the charming enigma, caught her off guard. He raised an eyebrow, a playful smile dancing on his lips. \u201cPerhaps you should ponder how much our shared marital assets will increase with every night we spend here.\u201d He took her hand, his touch warm and comforting, sending a flutter through her heart.<\/p>\n
It took a moment for the weight of his words to settle in. Moonridge Bay was not just any place; it belonged to the Lincoln family. A blush crept onto her cheeks as the realization hit her. Shared marital assets? The phrase felt strange, almost unsettling. She was merely a contract wife, a placeholder in a world of wealth that felt so distant from her own reality. How could she even entertain thoughts of his riches when her own life felt so starkly different?<\/p>\n
The hotel itself was a dazzling spectacle, a realm of opulence that made her feel as if she were floating outside of her own body. Everywhere she looked, luxury sparkled, and the very air was thick with the scent of affluence, wrapping around her like an invisible cloak.<\/p>\n
As they stepped into the glass elevator, it transformed from a mere lift into a ride through a gallery of excess. Each floor they ascended revealed a more breathtaking panorama of their lavish surroundings. The higher they climbed, the more magnificent the view became, and Adriana couldn\u2019t help but steal glances at Curtis. He stood beside her, exuding an aura of confidence that was both intoxicating and intimidating.<\/p>\n
He was undeniably handsome, radiating a charisma that screamed \u201cbillionaire boss\u201d in his tailored suit, yet, without it, he could easily pass for a striking model. Tall and athletic, he embodied desirability. But a nagging thought lingered in her mind\u2014how could a man who spent staggering amounts on a hotel room also enjoy a simple meal of street food with her? What was the real Curtis like beneath this polished exterior?<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you staring at me?\u201d Curtis\u2019s voice broke through her reverie as the elevator doors slid open, his tone teasing yet inviting.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes money make me look better?\u201d he added with a playful smirk.<\/p>\n
His humor made him seem more approachable, a refreshing contrast to the aloofness he sometimes displayed. Adriana felt her cheeks flush as she followed him out, her mind racing with questions. Was she really going to share a bed with him tonight?<\/p>\n
Once inside their lavish room, her thoughts spiraled into chaos, and in her distraction, she accidentally collided with his chest. The impact jolted her back to reality.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake a shower and get some rest. You\u2019ve had a long day,\u201d Curtis suggested, his tone gentle yet firm, like a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.<\/p>\n
She felt a wave of relief wash over her at the thought of avoiding any physical intimacy that night. Perhaps they could simply exist together, sharing the space without the pressure of expectations.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtis, do you like kids?\u201d she ventured, hoping to steer the conversation toward safer waters as he emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and tousled.<\/p>\n
He paused, casting her a sidelong glance. Adriana was nestled under the blankets, cocooned yet visibly anxious.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he replied candidly, the honesty in his voice catching her off guard.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why do you still want a child?\u201d she probed softly, her curiosity piqued. \u201cIs it just to satisfy the Lincolns, to ease your grandfather\u2019s mind?\u201d<\/p>\n
A heavy silence settled between them, thick with unspoken emotions. Adriana felt a twinge of regret for pushing too far. She instinctively scooted to the edge of the bed, creating a significant gap between them.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot afraid of falling off?\u201d he inquired, settling on the edge and casting a curious glance her way.<\/p>\n
Adriana couldn\u2019t bring herself to turn and face him directly. Instead, she wriggled back toward the center, seeking comfort in the blankets.<\/p>\n
Curtis chuckled softly, the sound a soothing balm to her nerves, before he turned off the lights, plunging the room into gentle darkness. Sharing a bed with a man she barely knew was a novel experience, and her heart raced wildly in her chest.<\/p>\n
Though sleep had beckoned her on the plane, now her eyes felt wide open, anticipation mingling with anxiety. Curtis remained true to his word, keeping his distance as they lay side by side, the space between them untouched. When she awoke the next morning, the void in the middle of the bed remained, a testament to their restraint.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re heading to the Lincoln Estate later to see my grandfather,\u201d he announced casually, buttoning his shirt with an air of calm.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Adriana murmured, propped up on her elbows as she watched him, a mix of admiration and confusion swirling within her. Was this man truly her husband, even if only in name?<\/p>\n
As they prepared to leave, the driver arrived to pick them up. \u201cMr. Curtis, Mr. Harold has arranged a family dinner to welcome you and Ms. Xander,\u201d he informed them, and Adriana\u2019s heart fluttered at the thought. Perhaps Harold genuinely wanted to make her feel included and valued. But Curtis\u2019s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he pulled out his phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa, I told you, Adriana is timid. Don\u2019t scare her,\u201d he spoke into the receiver, his voice taut with concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a woman of the Lincolns, she can\u2019t handle being scared by others but only by me?\u201d Harold\u2019s voice crackled through the phone, dripping with disapproval.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa, a family dinner is an outdated tradition,\u201d Curtis replied, his frown deepening.<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s curiosity piqued. \u201cWhat exactly is this Lincoln family dinner?\u201d she asked, her genuine intrigue shining through.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t want to go, I can take you shopping instead,\u201d Curtis suggested, his tone growing colder, revealing his reluctance for her to be present.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it really?\u201d she pressed again, a mix of determination and anxiety rising within her. After all, wasn\u2019t it her duty to win over Grandpa\u2019s approval?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s essentially a test for the Lincolns to assess how obedient the woman marrying in is,\u201d Curtis explained, frustration lacing his voice. Adriana\u2019s brow furrowed in response.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis so-called tradition has never brought happiness to any woman in the family. The men act like they\u2019re inspecting property, scrutinizing whether the new wife can submit completely. All the Lincolns will be there, and they\u2019ll make things difficult for you in every conceivable way. Only if you endure it all and please them will they consider you officially accepted,\u201d he continued, his gaze locking onto hers, a mix of concern and protectiveness evident in his expression.<\/p>\n
In the quiet aftermath of the family dinner revelation, Adriana found herself standing at a crossroads, teetering between the allure of Curtis\u2019s world and the harsh reality of her place within it. The opulence of Moonridge Bay now felt like a gilded cage, where acceptance came with strings attached, and her identity as a mere contract wife loomed larger than ever. Yet, as she looked into Curtis\u2019s eyes, she sensed a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. His protective stance, the warmth of his hand in hers, and the way he had shielded her from the harsh judgments of his family sparked a new resolve within her. Perhaps she could navigate this treacherous terrain, not as a passive observer but as an active participant in her own narrative.<\/p>\n
As the night drew on and the weight of their shared silence enveloped them, Adriana realized that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but it was also ripe with possibilities. The distance between them, once a chasm of doubt and fear, began to feel like a space filled with potential for understanding and growth. She no longer wanted to be just a placeholder; she yearned to carve out her own place in this world, one where her voice mattered. With Curtis by her side, she felt emboldened to confront the Lincolns and their archaic traditions, ready to redefine what it meant to belong. In that moment of clarity, she understood that healing was not just about time but about the courage to embrace her own truth and forge a path toward a future she could truly call her own.<\/p>\n
In the quiet aftermath of the family dinner revelation, Adriana stood at a pivotal juncture, the weight of her identity as a contract wife pressing heavily upon her. The opulence of Moonridge Bay, once a tantalizing dream, now felt more like a gilded cage, where acceptance came at the price of her authenticity. Yet, as she looked into Curtis\u2019s eyes, a flicker of hope ignited within her. His protective stance and the warmth of his hand in hers reassured her that she was not alone in this daunting journey. The realization that she could navigate this treacherous terrain not just as a passive observer but as an active participant in her own story filled her with newfound resolve. The allure of wealth and status paled in comparison to the strength she felt blossoming within her.<\/p>\n
As the night enveloped them in shared silence, Adriana understood that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, yet it was also ripe with possibilities. The distance between her and Curtis, once a chasm of uncertainty, began to transform into a space filled with potential for understanding and growth. No longer content to be a mere placeholder, she yearned to carve out her own identity within this world, to ensure her voice resonated amidst the clamor of the Lincolns. With Curtis by her side, she felt emboldened to confront the archaic traditions that sought to define her. In that moment of clarity, she recognized that true healing was not merely a passage of time but the courageous embrace of her own truth, setting her on a path toward a future she could genuinely claim as her own.<\/p>\n
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**<\/p>\n
In the upcoming chapter, tensions are set to rise as Adriana prepares to face the formidable Lincoln family during the much-anticipated dinner. With Curtis\u2019s warning still echoing in her mind, the stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. Will she be able to navigate the intricate web of family expectations and traditions that seem designed to test her worth? As she steps into the opulent world of the Lincolns, readers can expect a blend of anxiety and determination as Adriana grapples with her identity and the heavy expectations placed upon her as Curtis\u2019s wife. The dinner promises to be a battleground of wills, where every glance and comment could hold the power to shape her future.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the dynamics between Adriana and Curtis will likely evolve as they confront the reality of their relationship in the face of family scrutiny. Will Curtis stand by her side, or will the pressures of his family\u2019s opinions drive a wedge between them? As secrets and hidden agendas surface, the chapter is poised to reveal deeper layers of both characters, pushing Adriana to assert her voice and fight for her place within this elite circle. With the potential for both conflict and unexpected alliances, readers will be on the edge of their seats, eager to see if Adriana can turn the tide in her favor and redefine what it means to belong within the Lincoln family.<\/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 60 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-23972","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\/23972","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=23972"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23972\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}