Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 158

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
**Chapter 158: The Loose Ends**

Irene was acutely aware that the truth about Adriana’s identity was still shrouded in secrecy, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t extend her support. Every moment counted, and she was determined to help in any way she could.

“Are you pregnant yet?” Gary inquired with a teasing grin, his hand playfully resting on Irene’s abdomen as he pulled her closer onto the couch.

Irene shot him a sharp glance, her eyes narrowing. “Do you honestly believe that works every single time?” she retorted, her voice laced with irritation. “You’re a grown man, Gary. It’s time to stop acting like a child.”

He feigned a look of deep offense, his brow furrowing dramatically. “So now I’m old? Just a few years back, you were telling me I was too young, too immature, and too unstable!”

Irene chose to ignore his antics, her mind racing with more pressing matters.

“Anyway, I have real news,” Gary said, urgency creeping into his tone. “That maniac Joe we arrested—the one who tried to poison an orphan in the hospital? That orphan was Adriana. We might have stumbled upon the murderer who took your sister and brother-in-law from you.”

Irene’s heart raced as she jerked upright, her hands gripping Gary’s collar tightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is monumental! Why are you just telling me this now?”

Gary hesitated, his expression shifting to one of concern. “But he’s been diagnosed with severe schizophrenia. He’s already been transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Getting him to talk, or even seeing him, will be a challenge. Legally, individuals with mental health issues often aren’t held criminally responsible…” He sensed the storm brewing within Irene, worried that she might spiral out of control.

To his surprise, she remained remarkably composed.

Releasing her grip on his collar, she sank back into thought, her mind racing. “We’ve found Adriana. At least I’ve kept my promise to my sister. But we can’t be certain he’s genuinely mentally ill. Even if he is, we’ll find a way to extract the truth from him.”

Gary stared at her, astonished. Irene had truly become more level-headed over the years.

For so long, Irene had been consumed by an obsession—almost to the point of instability—driven by the need to uncover the real Nicole.

Now that she had found Adriana, witnessed her safety, and recognized that she was leading a fulfilling life, a sense of tranquility washed over Irene, albeit faintly.

“With Adriana beside Curtis, he should be able to protect her,” she mused aloud, though a flicker of doubt lingered in her heart. “You don’t think Curtis would mistreat her, do you? Is she okay with being pregnant? What if Curtis coerces her? What if…”

Gary sighed, shaking his head. Here she was, spiraling into overthinking once again.

“I can’t let Curtis just waltz into marriage with Adriana without a fight,” Irene declared, a hint of panic creeping back into her voice. “He’s gotten way too lucky. How does he deserve to marry a college girl—my niece—so easily?”

Clearing his throat, Gary pondered the implications. “True. Should we consider breaking them up? Maybe even force a divorce?”

Irene shot him a venomous glare. “You’re awful.”

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