Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Marriage Deal

Matthew Langford, a man in his thirties, carried a raw and unfiltered desire that was almost palpable.

Adriana Xander had lost count of how long he had been relentless. Her body felt as if it were unraveling, overwhelmed by a lust so fierce it left her gasping for air.

Matthew knew every inch of her intimately, his touch precise and deliberate. Not a single caress was wasted; his movements were smooth, practiced, and sure.

“Clear my schedule starting tomorrow. I’m taking the week off. Book two tickets to Neocoralis,” Matthew declared as he finally pulled away, standing beside the bed while slowly dressing.

Adriana shifted her aching waist, a spark lighting her tired eyes. “You’re taking me on vacation, Matthew?”

He paused, a slight frown crossing his face as he looked down at her. “I’m going with Natasha.”

Her smile faltered instantly, replaced by an awkward lowering of her gaze. “Okay, Mr. Langford…” she murmured, the words tasting bitter.

Noticing the sudden paleness that crept over her face, Matthew’s tone softened slightly. “Adriana, you’re just an orphan. You’re young. I can’t marry you.”

She met his eyes, forcing a tight, bitter smile. “I never expected you to marry me. But now that Ms. Jones is divorced and back, should we end this… affair?”

Matthew’s expression darkened. He reached out to gently rub her head in an attempt to soothe her, then placed a card on the nightstand. “Be good. Buy whatever you want.”

“Mr. Langford, I don’t want to be a mistress,” Adriana said stubbornly, her gaze unwavering. She knew deep down he would eventually marry Natasha Jones.

“You’re jumping ahead. We’ll deal with that when the time comes. Don’t throw tantrums. Whether this ends or not isn’t up to you.” Growing impatient, Matthew glanced at her one last time before leaving.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Adriana’s ears rang with silence. The world around her seemed to fade away.

Adriana was an orphan. During her freshman year, her appearance had drawn the cruel wrath of Mia Langford, a wealthy girl whose bullying left Adriana deaf in one ear, with a crushed pinky toe, and almost blinded by a cigarette burn.

Someone had recorded the abuse and posted it online, sparking a scandal that engulfed the school.

The administration summoned the parents. Representing Mia was Matthew—her brother.

Perhaps to protect the Langford Group’s reputation, or maybe out of pity, Matthew reached out to the battered Adriana. The first words he spoke to her were, “Don’t be scared. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Spineless. Pathetic.

Adriana had fallen for him. At her most vulnerable, Matthew fed every fantasy she held about love and safety.

She once believed he was her salvation. But now… he didn’t love her. He only refused to let her go.

At the Langford Group.

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