\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Chapter 76 of \u201cWhen Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen,\u201d Matthew grapples with the weight of his family\u2019s chaotic legacy, which fuels his envy towards Curtis, a man unburdened by the same concerns. Curtis\u2019s impulsive decision to marry Adriana contrasts sharply with Matthew\u2019s calculated approach to life, as he feels the pressure to maintain control over his circumstances. The tension escalates when Curtis sarcastically demands money for Adriana, highlighting the underlying competition and resentment among the characters.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Harold, Adriana\u2019s grandfather, throws an envelope at her, the dynamics shift. Adriana\u2019s internal conflict deepens as she contemplates her non-existent pregnancy, a mere ploy by Curtis to provoke Harold. The atmosphere thickens with tension as family members argue over the implications of their relationships, with Danielle accusing Adriana of being a pawn in a larger game orchestrated by Curtis. This accusation resonates with Adriana, who begins to question her worth and the motivations behind Curtis\u2019s generosity.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter reaches a critical point when Matthew confronts Adriana about the supposed pregnancy. His concern for her well-being reveals a softer side, contrasting with the harsh realities of their situation. Adriana\u2019s dismissive response to Matthew\u2019s worries exposes her complex feelings about her relationship with Curtis, who showers her with wealth but may not have genuine intentions. As Matthew tries to clarify his feelings and intentions, he struggles with the fear that his lack of extravagant gestures might lead Adriana to see him as less desirable.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the chapter captures a moment of emotional turmoil for Adriana as she navigates conflicting loyalties and desires. While she acknowledges the lavish gifts from Curtis, she also feels the pull of Matthew\u2019s sincerity and concern. The interplay of wealth, power, and emotional connection creates a complex web of relationships, leaving Adriana at a crossroads regarding her future and the choices she must make.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
**Chapter 76: Explain This Pregnancy Thing**<\/p>\n
Matthew was not the kind of man who could afford to be reckless. His father had sown chaos across the landscape of his family, fathering several children out of wedlock. If Matthew didn\u2019t navigate the treacherous waters of his life with sharpness and a ruthless edge, he risked losing everything he held dear. This reality weighed heavily on him, and it was this very burden that fueled his envy toward Curtis.<\/p>\n
Curtis, with his fiery temperament, was a man who could unleash his anger without a second thought. He had the audacity to marry Adriana on a mere whim, a decision that seemed to come from the heart rather than a calculated mind. But Matthew\u2026 he couldn\u2019t afford such indulgence. The stakes were too high for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this? Adriana doesn\u2019t get a cash envelope? Your grandchildren are the true Lincolns\u2014they carry the bloodline that can\u2019t be altered. Can\u2019t say the same for anyone else,\u201d Curtis quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he seized the moment to demand money.<\/p>\n
Harold\u2019s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, his face contorting with anger as he pointed an accusatory finger at Curtis. The tension in the room thickened. In a swift motion, he snatched an envelope from his assistant and flung it toward Adriana, his expression grim. \u201cConsider yourself lucky, kid. Take care of the baby. We won\u2019t treat you poorly.\u201d<\/p>\n
With that, Harold strode toward the door, exuding an air of pride and authority that seemed almost palpable.<\/p>\n
Adriana couldn\u2019t help but think, *Wow, with a physique like that, Harold could easily live to be a hundred\u2026* Yet, the thought lingered in her mind\u2014why did Curtis insist that Harold was in poor health and needed to marry soon? Why was Harold\u2019s eventual demise stipulated as the end date for their contract?<\/p>\n
What if Harold defied the odds and lived to be a hundred?<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtis\u2026\u201d Adriana hesitated, her eyes fixed on the envelope that lay before her, uncertainty gnawing at her. She wasn\u2019t really pregnant, after all.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust take it,\u201d Curtis urged, tilting his chin toward her, an unspoken command that she couldn\u2019t ignore.<\/p>\n
Reluctantly, Adriana slipped the envelope into her bag. It didn\u2019t seem thick\u2014probably just a few hundred dollars. That made it a bit easier to accept without feeling a twinge of guilt.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo apologize to your Grandpa quickly. He\u2019s not in great health\u2014you might just give him a heart attack!\u201d Jeremy exclaimed, exasperation lacing his voice as he tugged Curtis toward the door. \u201cYou\u2019re harder to manage than your dad. Just go make your apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJeremy, you don\u2019t get it\u2014Grandpa is like this. If you don\u2019t push back, he won\u2019t understand,\u201d Curtis protested, his voice rising slightly.<\/p>\n
As Jeremy dragged Curtis off to make amends with Harold, Danielle finally reached her breaking point. She slammed her utensils onto the table, startling Adriana, who flinched at the sudden noise.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t kid yourself into thinking he\u2019s doing all this for you\u2014he\u2019s doing it for Cynthia. You\u2019re just a pawn in this game,\u201d Danielle hissed through clenched teeth, her eyes blazing with intensity.<\/p>\n
Adriana chose silence, resting her wrist on the table and absentmindedly polishing the emerald bracelet with a napkin, her mind racing.<\/p>\n
That simple gesture sent Danielle into a frenzy.<\/p>\n
She shot to her feet, glaring daggers at Adriana. \u201cHow long do you think you can bask in this? You think you deserve all this attention?\u201d<\/p>\n
Natasha, noticing the bracelet, paused momentarily before speaking. \u201cWait\u2026 Is that Curtis\u2019 bracelet\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone knew the Lincolns\u2019 heirloom was valued at over 500 million. That bracelet was not merely an accessory; it was a symbol of status, the mark of the lady of the house.<\/p>\n
Danielle\u2019s fists clenched tightly. \u201cCurtis did this on purpose, just to prove to everyone that he won\u2019t marry Nicole for the sake of their engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shot a disdainful look at Adriana. \u201cShe\u2019s nothing but a pawn. Curtis is letting her take all the heat for Cynthia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicole, sitting obediently nearby, watched Adriana with a calculating gaze. \u201cBut Grandpa said Curtis will definitely marry me. You need to take good care of that bracelet. When he marries me, you\u2019ll have to give it back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana met Nicole\u2019s gaze, her thoughts swirling in confusion. *Great, yet another person who despises me\u2026*<\/p>\n
Perhaps Danielle was right. Curtis had been generous to her over the past year, showering her with money and insisting on a contract marriage. Maybe it was all a fa\u00e7ade to protect Cynthia.<\/p>\n
But deep down, she decided it didn\u2019t matter. With the kind of money Curtis had thrown her way, she felt no sense of injustice at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome with me.\u201d Matthew finally lost his cool, disregarding whether Natasha was observing. He seized Adriana\u2019s arm and pulled her toward the bathroom.<\/p>\n
Adriana struggled against his grip, but Matthew\u2019s strength was overwhelming.<\/p>\n
\u201cExplain this pregnancy thing. You\u2019ve only been with Curtis for a few days\u2014how could you possibly be pregnant? Is the child\u2026 mine?\u201d Matthew\u2019s brow furrowed, concern etching his features.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re overthinking this. I\u2019m not pregnant. Curtis said that just to annoy Harold,\u201d Adriana insisted, pushing Matthew\u2019s hand away, signaling that there was no need for worry.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if you were\u2026 I wouldn\u2019t let you terminate it,\u201d Matthew declared firmly, his voice steady.<\/p>\n
He looked at Adriana, his gaze softening with a hint of compassion. \u201cAdriana\u2026 can you stop this? Curtis is merely using you. Why suffer for him? Isn\u2019t it better with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you give me 30 million this year? Did you gift me a 500-million-dollar bracelet? Do you shower me with luxury items worth millions every day?\u201d Adriana laughed, incredulous at the absurdity of his words. \u201cConsidering all that, I don\u2019t feel wronged at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdriana, I didn\u2019t give you those things because I didn\u2019t want you to think I was playing with your feelings. It\u2019s not that I can\u2019t give them\u2014I want to give them in the right way\u2026\u201d Matthew attempted to clarify his intentions, trying to explain why he had held back on gifts.<\/p>\n
He was acutely aware that many of his friends indulged their mistresses and lovers with extravagant gifts.<\/p>\n
But he understood Adriana\u2019s pride.<\/p>\n
If he showered her with lavish presents, she would likely feel like she was being kept rather than genuinely loved.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the swirling chaos of familial expectations and societal pressures, Adriana found herself at a crossroads, her identity entangled in the lives of those around her. The tension between Matthew\u2019s earnest yet restrained affection and Curtis\u2019s extravagant gestures created a tug-of-war within her heart. While Matthew offered a semblance of stability and genuine care, it was Curtis\u2019s lavish lifestyle that dazzled her senses and filled her with a sense of worth, albeit one that felt precariously tied to the whims of others. As she clutched the emerald bracelet\u2014a symbol of her current status\u2014Adriana grappled with the realization that her worth should not be measured by material possessions or the approval of the men in her life. The emotional weight of her choices pressed down on her, igniting a fierce desire to reclaim her agency.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the chapter closed on a poignant note of self-discovery for Adriana. She stood at the precipice of her own narrative, recognizing that true fulfillment could not be found in the shadows of others\u2019 decisions or in the glittering allure of wealth. With each passing moment, she began to understand that her journey was not solely defined by the men who vied for her attention, but by her own choices and the strength she possessed to carve out her own path. As the dust settled from the confrontation, Adriana resolved to embrace her independence, to seek a love that was not transactional, and to forge a future that was authentically hers\u2014one where she would no longer be a pawn in anyone\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the tension between Adriana, Curtis, and Matthew continues to escalate, readers can expect a dramatic confrontation that could change the dynamics of their relationships forever. With Matthew\u2019s fierce determination to protect Adriana from what he perceives as Curtis\u2019s manipulative intentions, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Adriana finally confront the truth about her feelings for both men, or will she remain ensnared in a web of luxury and obligation? The emotional turmoil she faces promises to unravel secrets that could redefine her very identity and future.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moreover, the looming question of Adriana\u2019s supposed pregnancy adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. As whispers and rumors swirl, the implications of her potential motherhood will force Adriana to make choices that could alter her life\u2019s trajectory. Will she choose the safety and stability that Matthew offers, or will she remain in the chaotic embrace of Curtis, risking everything for a love that may not be genuine? The next chapter is sure to delve deeper into the characters\u2019 motivations, revealing hidden truths and igniting unexpected alliances as Adriana navigates a labyrinth of power, love, and betrayal. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as the story unfolds, leaving readers breathless and yearning for more.<\/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 76 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-23988","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\/23988","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=23988"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23988\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}