Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 182

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
**Chapter 182: Arsenic**

Joe gave a slight nod, his mind racing with unspoken thoughts. While he wasn’t fully privy to the intricacies of the Lincolns’ family dynamics, he could certainly conjure a rough sketch in his mind. The weight of unspoken tensions hung in the air like a dense fog.

“Alright, just wait for my update,” he said, slipping the small sample bag into the depths of his backpack, feeling the coolness of the material against his fingers.

Adriana mirrored his nod, her expression a blend of curiosity and concern. As she and Joe stepped out of the café, fate intervened, and they unexpectedly crossed paths with Denton.

Denton was alone today, without Michael or his mother by his side. It struck Adriana as odd; here he was, a scion of one of Harborton’s wealthiest families, yet he was toiling away at a part-time job in the café.

As Adriana stepped outside, their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. Denton’s face registered surprise before he awkwardly averted his gaze, lowering his head as if he were trying to disappear into the sidewalk beneath him.

“Denton, did you remember everything I told you yesterday?” called the café owner, breaking the silence and pulling Denton back into the present.

Adriana felt a twinge of surprise. Why was he here, working like any other regular employee? The questions swirled in her mind, but she refrained from voicing them. Instead, she turned and walked away with Joe.

“Do you know that kid?” Joe asked nonchalantly, his tone casual but his eyes flickering with interest.

“Mm…” Adriana replied, her voice trailing off. She didn’t delve deeper, but she couldn’t help stealing one last glance back.

Denton was already donning his apron, his hands deftly maneuvering behind the counter as he prepared coffee with a seriousness that belied his age.

Later that evening, as the clock struck eight, Curtis initiated a video call, his face flickering to life on Adriana’s screen.

“Did you rest well today?” he asked, leaning back against the sofa, his demeanor suggesting he was slightly worn out.

“Mm. What about you?” Adriana responded, lying on her stomach, propping her chin in her hands. A slight tickle danced at the edge of her nose, a reminder of her lingering thoughts.

She never considered herself overly needy, but the truth was, just a few days apart had left a small void in her heart. The thought of her upcoming trip to Pastalia loomed over her like a dark cloud; months without seeing him felt unbearable.

“Just got back to the hotel. We hit a minor snag with the project here, but it’s all sorted now,” Curtis replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Tomorrow, I’ll be heading back to Harborton. I’ll be home to you by next Tuesday.”

Adriana felt a flicker of disappointment at the news; the timeline had shifted once again. “Home… Did something happen?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Curtis’s expression shifted slightly, and she could sense the weight of something unspoken.

“It’s nothing serious. Michael and his wife are back in Harborton. Grandpa just wants me there for a day,” he explained, his tone light but his eyes betraying a hint of worry.

“Do you need me to go with you?” Adriana blurted out, her heart racing with the thought of him facing family tensions alone.

She remembered Belinda’s words about her being too soft, but the thought of Curtis being mistreated stirred something fierce within her. Family disputes were notorious for spiraling out of control, and Curtis was not the type to relish such confrontations. Yet, she thought, if he had something he couldn’t voice, perhaps she could speak on his behalf. With Curtis by her side, she felt invincible.

“Are you worried I’ll be bullied?” Curtis chuckled, a sound that warmed her heart.

The weariness that had shadowed his face seemed to dissipate as he focused on her.

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