\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Chapter 163 of **\u201dWhen Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen,\u201d** the contrasting personalities of Curtis and Justin become apparent as they navigate their complex relationship with Adriana. Curtis, embodying darkness and possessiveness, confronts Adriana about her perceived admiration for Justin, a man he views as a threat. His intense emotions create a palpable tension, underscoring his need for control and the depth of his feelings for her. Adriana, caught off guard by Curtis\u2019s aggression, instinctively recalls the lessons of maintaining a careful balance in her interactions with men, leading her to deny any praise for Justin and seek to appease Curtis.<\/p>\n
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As the narrative unfolds, Adriana learns more about Justin\u2019s background, discovering that he is an orphan adopted by Jeremy. This revelation intrigues her, contrasting sharply with Justin\u2019s polished demeanor and deepening her curiosity about him. Meanwhile, Curtis\u2019s possessiveness manifests in a warning to stay away from Justin, revealing his vulnerability beneath the fierce exterior. Adriana\u2019s compliance to Curtis\u2019s wishes highlights her emotional entanglement and the internal conflict she faces between her attraction to Justin and her loyalty to Curtis.<\/p>\n
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The chapter shifts focus to the investigation surrounding Keith Wallensby, the man responsible for a tragic event that nearly claimed Adriana\u2019s life. As investigators delve into Keith\u2019s seemingly ordinary existence, they uncover a facade that masks his darker nature. His wife\u2019s desperate attempts to defend him illustrate the chaos that has erupted in their lives, while the skepticism of investigators like Irene and Gary raises questions about the true nature of Keith\u2019s actions. Their suspicions about his sanity and the illegal means he employed to commit violence emphasize the tension surrounding the case.<\/p>\n
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Irene\u2019s determination to keep Keith confined reveals her unwavering belief in his guilt, while her interactions with Joe and Gary showcase the complexities of familial relationships and the burden of secrets. The chapter ends with a shift in focus to Justin\u2019s role in the unfolding drama, as Gary reveals that he has been summoned back to protect Nicole, sparking concerns about Jeremy\u2019s true intentions. Irene\u2019s resolve to inform Jeremy about Adriana reflects the precarious nature of their situation, highlighting the dangers that lie ahead as they navigate a world filled with deceit and hidden motives.<\/p>\n
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**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
\n**Chapter 163: Only Praise Me**<\/p>\n
Curtis and Justin existed as polar opposites in a world that thrived on contrasts. Curtis embodied the shadows, a tempest of darkness and fire, while Justin represented the serene calm of ice and light. They were two extremes, like the sun and the moon, destined to remain apart, unable to coexist in harmony.<\/p>\n
Curtis\u2019s voice fell to a low, menacing growl. \u201cYou don\u2019t get to praise other men.\u201d The words dripped with an intensity that sent a shiver down Adriana\u2019s spine, a stark reminder of the possessive nature that lay beneath his surface.<\/p>\n
Adriana blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sharpness of his tone. Her mind raced back to Bonnie\u2019s advice, a mantra she had learned well: never forget the golden rule of a kept woman. The man who feeds you is the one who owns your attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t praising him,\u201d she replied hurriedly, shaking her head in denial, her heart pounding in her chest. The last thing she wanted was to provoke Curtis further.<\/p>\n
Curtis\u2019s expression softened slightly, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his fierce demeanor. He reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers as they began to walk back toward the living room. \u201cHis name\u2019s Justin Hotchner. Jeremy adopted him years ago. Found him in an orphanage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adriana\u2019s eyes widened in surprise. A man like Justin\u2014so poised, so refined, with an air of nobility\u2014was an orphan? The revelation felt incongruous, as if it didn\u2019t fit the polished image he projected.<\/p>\n
Yet, somehow, this newfound knowledge only deepened her intrigue. She found herself drawn to him, a curiosity ignited within her.<\/p>\n
Curtis brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle yet possessive. \u201cDon\u2019t be fooled by that clean look. He\u2019s not what he seems. Stay away from him.\u201d His warning hung in the air, heavy with unspoken threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Adriana murmured softly, a sense of compliance washing over her. She didn\u2019t fully understand why, but she felt compelled to agree, to placate the storm brewing within Curtis.<\/p>\n
His approval seemed to lift his spirits, a flicker of satisfaction igniting in his eyes. Today was about them, about their escape from the world outside. Nothing\u2014no one\u2014would mar their time together.<\/p>\n
**Haldoria, psychiatric hospital.**<\/p>\n
The man who had nearly taken Adriana\u2019s life was known as Keith Wallensby. Investigators delved into his past, sifting through the mundane details of his existence. They found nothing out of the ordinary. A quiet farmer, a devoted husband, a father of two\u2014he was a man who lived life on the periphery, a shadow among the living. He had never exhibited even a hint of violence. Occasionally, he would have strange episodes, but the villagers dismissed them as harmless quirks, mere eccentricities of a simple man.<\/p>\n
He claimed he was heading to the city for treatment, a journey that would culminate in chaos and bloodshed, a truth no one could foresee.<\/p>\n
Keith\u2019s village was nestled deep within the wilderness, a hidden gem between Haldoria and Hillcrest City. It was so far removed from the bustling world that many had forgotten it even existed. When news of the tragedy reached the village, his wife, distraught and frantic, rushed to the police station with their children and the village chief. They arrived bearing baskets filled with eggs and homemade goods, a desperate attempt to bridge the chasm of despair that had opened in their lives. Each time she fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face, she cried out, vowing that Keith was a good man, a decent man, someone who had never harmed a soul.<\/p>\n
Even Joe, the investigator, found himself wavering in his conviction. Perhaps Keith had simply snapped under pressure. Perhaps it wasn\u2019t intentional.<\/p>\n
But Irene and Gary were not so easily swayed. They knew the truth behind the facade. They understood what had truly happened to Nicole\u2019s parents. Keith was no harmless farmer; he was a wolf cloaked in sheep\u2019s clothing, a devil masquerading as a saint.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe it really is just a coincidence?\u201d Joe suggested hesitantly, glancing over at Gary, seeking validation in his uncertainty.<\/p>\n
He was the one who had sought permission to visit Keith, who remained confined within the psychiatric hospital, undergoing mandatory treatment.<\/p>\n
When they entered the room, Keith sat quietly, tears streaming down his cheeks, mumbling that he couldn\u2019t remember anything. \u201cI lost control,\u201d he repeated like a mantra, his voice trembling with desperation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d believe he\u2019s crazy,\u201d Irene said coldly, her tone biting, \u201cbut where did a \u2018crazy\u2019 farmer acquire poison like that? It\u2019s illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe nodded, the question nagging at him as well. He had posed the same inquiry to Keith countless times, but all he received in return were tears and the same feeble excuses. Keith insisted he didn\u2019t know, didn\u2019t remember, didn\u2019t even recognize the syringe that had become the instrument of his undoing.<\/p>\n
With no answers and Keith\u2019s erratic behavior, they had no choice but to keep him under observation.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s faking it,\u201d Irene declared suddenly, her voice sharp enough to cut through the tension in the room.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes widened in disbelief. \u201cYou think he\u2019s pretending, Aunt Irene? But the doctors said he\u2019s really sick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Initially, he had shared her skepticism. After hours of questioning yielded nothing, he had begun to trust the doctors\u2019 assessments.<\/p>\n
Irene let out a humorless laugh, devoid of warmth. \u201cI used to act, Joe. He\u2019s putting on a show. His performance is convincing, but he slipped. He thinks being insane is all about yelling and thrashing around.\u201d She turned to Gary, her voice firm and resolute. \u201cKeep him in here. Don\u2019t let anyone release him. When the time\u2019s right, we\u2019ll test him ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gary nodded in agreement, a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of their task. \u201cGot it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Irene started to walk toward the door, she paused mid-step, turning back to Joe. \u201cWhat did you just call me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe froze, confusion washing over him. \u201cUh\u2026 Aunt Irene?\u201d He blinked, trying to comprehend the sudden shift in atmosphere. Gary was his uncle, so what else was he supposed to say?<\/p>\n
Gary suppressed a grin, his amusement barely contained. \u201cHe\u2019s not wrong. Anyway, we\u2019ve taken enough of his time. Let\u2019s go.\u201d He grasped Irene\u2019s hand, guiding her toward the car.<\/p>\n
Once the doors were shut, Irene\u2019s demeanor shifted, her irritation bubbling to the surface. \u201cWhat on earth did you tell that kid?\u201d she snapped, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Gary.<\/p>\n
Gary smirked, deftly sidestepping her question. \u201cJustin\u2019s in Haldoria. Jeremy sent him. Said he\u2019s there to protect Nicole.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instantly, Irene\u2019s expression hardened, her voice turning sharp as a knife. \u201cJustin\u2019s Jeremy\u2019s most valuable piece. Don\u2019t tell me he can\u2019t see through that facade?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gary leaned back, his tone calm yet heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. \u201cJustin\u2019s been managing Jeremy\u2019s overseas business for years. For Jeremy to summon him back so suddenly, under the guise of protection\u2026 that\u2019s not the whole story. He\u2019s suspicious. He wouldn\u2019t employ Justin unless something was very wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
He understood the implications of Jeremy\u2019s actions. Justin was Jeremy\u2019s last resort, his trump card for the real Nicole. He was not meant to be deployed unless absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n
The mere fact that he had been called back signified one undeniable truth: Jeremy was beginning to doubt the girl who claimed to be Nicole.<\/p>\n
Irene\u2019s gaze remained fixed on Gary, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. \u201cThen maybe,\u201d she suggested, \u201cit\u2019s time Jeremy learned about Adriana.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gary let out a heavy breath, shaking his head in disapproval. \u201cThe less Jeremy knows, the better. The moment he finds out, Adriana\u2019s life will become infinitely more complicated. Everyone around that man is a viper. Even Jeremy isn\u2019t safe anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
At this rate, he was bound to perish too.<\/p>\n
Irene\u2019s expression turned steely, resolve hardening her features. \u201cYou\u2019re right. He couldn\u2019t even protect his own son. Or my sister. I don\u2019t trust him to keep Adriana safe either!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the intricate dance of emotions that unfolded in this chapter, the stark contrasts between Curtis and Justin mirrored the turmoil within Adriana. Caught between the tempestuous shadows of Curtis\u2019s possessiveness and the serene allure of Justin\u2019s enigmatic past, she found herself at a crossroads. Curtis\u2019s fierce need for control clashed with her burgeoning curiosity about Justin, igniting a conflict that left her heart racing and her mind swirling with uncertainty. As she navigated the stormy waters of their relationship, Adriana grappled with the suffocating weight of Curtis\u2019s expectations, all while feeling a magnetic pull toward the man who embodied a different kind of strength\u2014a strength born not from dominance, but from resilience.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the chilling revelations surrounding Keith Wallensby painted a haunting backdrop to Adriana\u2019s personal struggle. As investigators peeled back the layers of his seemingly ordinary life, they uncovered a darkness that belied his facade, paralleling the hidden depths within the characters around Adriana. The tension escalated, mirroring her own internal conflict, as she realized that safety and danger often wore the same mask. With the stakes rising and the threat of exposure looming, Adriana stood on the precipice of a decision that could alter the course of her life. In this moment of reckoning, she was forced to confront not only her feelings for Curtis and Justin but also the precarious nature of trust and the shadows that lingered in the corners of her world.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the tension between Curtis and Adriana continues to simmer, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of their relationship. With Curtis\u2019s possessiveness threatening to overshadow their connection, Adriana finds herself at a crossroads, torn between the magnetic pull of his dark allure and the unsettling curiosity she feels towards Justin. Will she be able to navigate this treacherous emotional landscape, or will Curtis\u2019s shadow consume her entirely? The stakes are high as Adriana grapples with her feelings, and readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see which path she chooses.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the investigation into Keith Wallensby\u2019s disturbing actions takes a darker turn. As Joe, Irene, and Gary dig deeper into the layers of deceit surrounding Keith\u2019s past, the tension among the investigators escalates. With Irene\u2019s suspicions mounting and her determination to uncover the truth growing stronger, the chapter is set to reveal shocking revelations that could alter the course of the investigation. Will they unearth the hidden motives behind Keith\u2019s actions, or will they find themselves ensnared in a web of lies that threatens to unravel everything they thought they knew? Prepare for a gripping continuation that intertwines personal struggles with the chilling reality of a mind on the brink of madness.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn 163 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-24074","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\/24074","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=24074"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24074\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}