Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 25

25 Marriage as Leverage

“Adriana, are you absolutely certain you don’t have any enemies? No serious grudges or dirt against the Langfords or the Joneses?” Joe asked cautiously, carefully feeling out the situation.

Adriana shook her head slowly, her expression guarded.

Joe lowered his voice, a hint of urgency creeping in. “It was sodium cyanide…”

At the mention of the poison, Adriana’s complexion drained to a ghostly pale. Sodium cyanide—the very same substance used in euthanasia. The thought of someone going to such deadly lengths sent a shiver down her spine.

Who could harbor such hatred for her? Who would want to see her dead?

Joe’s tone grew firm. “The police will investigate thoroughly. But right now, you need to be extremely cautious. If anything suspicious happens, call me immediately.”

Adriana nodded, though her mind was still reeling, trying to put the pieces together. Could Matthew possibly want her dead? The idea seemed absurd.

Then who else?

After Joe left, Adriana remained seated, lost in a fog of confusion and dread.

Around two in the afternoon, Matthew arrived, accompanied by Natasha. This time, he came alone with her—no one else tagging along. Perhaps he feared Adriana might be triggered by a larger group.

Matthew had first gone to the police station to bail Natasha out and then brought her directly to the hospital.

“Adriana, Natasha’s here to apologize,” Matthew said quietly as they stood inside the hospital ward.

Natasha’s face was pale, her discomfort obvious, but she forced herself to speak. “Adriana, I’m truly sorry. Hurting you was never my intention. I never imagined Rufus would take things that far.”

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and her act was flawless. “I was just overwhelmed by jealousy. I couldn’t bear the thought that during the four years I was gone, you and Matthew…”

She deliberately chose that moment to expose Adriana’s relationship with Matthew.

Matthew’s face tightened, panic flashing in his eyes. “Natasha…”

Through tears, Natasha looked at him. “I’m sorry. I knew about you and Adriana, but I still let jealousy consume me. I never should have come back. I ruined everything between you two. Matthew, I’ll step aside. You belong with Adriana. I’m sorry.”

With that, she turned and began to walk away, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Matthew’s face went pale as he grabbed her arm. “Who said you could leave? You’re my fiancée, and we’re getting married soon! Me and her…”

He glanced briefly at Adriana, forced to confront a choice right then and there.

“There’s nothing between me and her anymore…” His voice was rough, strained.

Adriana let out a weary laugh.

So this was it—they came here just to perform some twisted love drama in front of her?

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