Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 115

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**

**Chapter 115: Ungrateful Girl**

Liana dashed across the room, her heart racing with excitement, and plopped down next to Matthew, a bright grin plastered across her face. “Guess what? I ranked 15th in the entire state!” Her voice was a melody of triumph, echoing through the air as if she had just announced a great victory.

This was monumental. In Haldoria, achieving 15th place in the state was nothing short of genius-level recognition. It was a badge of honor, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Adriana, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but smile. “Congrats, Liana,” she said, her tone warm but tinged with something unspoken.

Liana’s gaze flickered toward Adriana, curiosity piqued. “So, what did you get back then?” she asked, her voice playful, a hint of mischief lacing her words.

Adriana deftly sidestepped the question. “I ordered a cake to celebrate. It should be here soon, so I’ll just—”

“Wait, Adriana! You’re leaving already? I just got here! Are you upset because I did well?” Liana teased, her laughter bubbling like a stream, half-joking but hoping to provoke a reaction.

Adriana shook her head, distancing herself from the cheerful duo. It was as if an invisible wall had risen between them, one that had grown thicker over the years. Ever since Matthew had begun to support Liana four years ago, Adriana had slowly withdrawn, her attention fading like a shadow at dusk. Liana, in her youthful exuberance, paid little mind to Adriana’s retreat; her focus was solely on Matthew.

Though Liana was still navigating the waters of youth, she was no longer a child. She was an adult now, or so she believed, and she should have understood the boundaries that existed between men and women. Yet, here she was, clinging to Matthew’s arm, embodying the very definition of cute, a playful charm that seemed to light up the room.

Matthew, for his part, appeared unfazed by Liana’s antics. In fact, he often stole glances at Adriana, perhaps hoping to spark a flicker of jealousy in her calm demeanor.

Adriana maintained her silence, her expression a mask of tranquility, but beneath it, a tempest brewed.

Last year, at Liana’s coming-of-age party, both Matthew and Adriana had been present. It was a day that had etched itself into Liana’s memory; Matthew had gifted her a brand-new iPhone, a lavish present that had cost him over ten thousand dollars. The thrill that coursed through Liana had been palpable, leading her to plant a kiss on Matthew’s cheek, a gesture that had sent ripples of annoyance through Adriana for days. Yet, Matthew had shrugged it off, viewing Liana as just a spirited girl, full of life and innocence.

“Liana,” Adriana interjected, her voice slicing through the air, “congrats on getting into college. But remember when I first met you, crying on the street, begging for my leftover lunch?” She aimed to ground Liana, to remind her of where she had come from. “And now, look at you, decked out in designer brands. That outfit must have cost a fortune. Did you buy it with your scholarship? That alone could probably cover your tuition for a while, right?”

The contrast was stark. Back then, Liana had struggled to afford even a proper meal. Now, she was adorned in high-end Adidas and Nike gear—certainly not luxury, but expensive enough to reflect a regular person’s monthly salary. The shoes alone had set her back over three thousand dollars.

Liana’s smile faltered, her expression shifting to one of confusion and hurt. “Adriana, what are you implying?”

Her head drooped, a picture of vulnerability, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

She was a master of theatrics—her performance far superior to that of Danielle or Nicole.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify