Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 139

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
**Chapter 139: He Cares About the Baby**

For Curtis, the decision to keep Adriana as his contract wife was more than just a legal arrangement; it was a shield he forged to protect her from the harsh realities of life. He believed that by holding onto her in this way, he could offer her some semblance of safety, even if it was fraught with complications.

Adriana’s gaze was locked onto Curtis, her mind racing with disbelief.

“Didn’t his parents die in an accident?” she thought, her heart sinking further into confusion.

She recalled the tragic tale surrounding Nicole’s parents—how they had been mercilessly murdered, the whispers of hired assassins echoing through the streets of Haldoria. That incident had sent shockwaves through the community, leaving a scar that time had failed to heal. The killer, it seemed, had vanished into thin air, leaving behind a legacy of fear and unanswered questions.

The fact that Nicole’s father belonged to a prestigious Harborton family only intensified the gossip. But now, faced with Curtis, Adriana couldn’t shake the chilling thought that perhaps his parents had met a similar fate.

The weight of her unasked questions hung heavily in the air, and fear gripped her heart. Instead of probing further, she chose to clutch Curtis’s hand, squeezing it tightly as if her grip could somehow convey her silent support.

What Curtis had endured, and what he continued to bear, was likely a burden far beyond her comprehension.

*I can hardly protect myself,* she mused, *so as long as I don’t add to Curtis’s troubles, that should suffice…*

The thought of asking him about his past felt like stepping into a minefield. It was better to remain silent than to risk deepening his pain.

—

**Haldoria Hospital.**

As soon as Curtis stepped out of the room, Cynthia straightened her posture, her eyes narrowing into a fierce glare directed at Belinda. “What is wrong with you? Did you push Curtis towards that woman on purpose? Are you completely out of your mind? The only way I can become Mrs. Lincoln is by marrying Curtis. That’s the only path for you to truly be recognized as a Lincoln heiress. Haven’t I made that crystal clear? Do you not remember how they ridiculed you in school?”

Belinda’s expression was one of despair. Cynthia had spent her entire life berating and manipulating her, and the weight of it was suffocating.

“But did you ever stop to consider what I want?” Belinda’s voice trembled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at her mother.

“What you want is irrelevant! If I can’t secure my place in the Lincoln family and keep Curtis, I might as well be dead,” Cynthia shot back, her voice rising in intensity. “Only by marrying Curtis can I ensure your future. If you don’t want to be a burden and the subject of ridicule forever, you must help me!”

Belinda lowered her head, silence enveloping her like a shroud.

“But… you actually did pretty well today. Adriana trusts you now; I can see you’re getting closer to her,” Cynthia’s tone shifted slightly as she attempted to soften her approach.

It was a classic case of the carrot and the stick, and Belinda remained mute.

“Belinda, Mommy loves you. Everything I do is for your sake,” Cynthia said, taking Belinda’s hand in hers. “I can only survive if I marry Curtis. You know this is my one shot at life.”

Tears began to cascade down Belinda’s cheeks, yet she remained silent, her heart heavy with conflict.

“Help Mommy, okay?” Cynthia pressed on, desperation creeping into her voice.

Belinda looked up, her expression a mix of confusion and sorrow. “Mom… what do you want me to do?”

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