Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Beyond Matthew’s Grasp

It seemed she was simply too stubborn to give up. Luckily, Adriana had survived.

When she finally opened her eyes, it was already the following morning.

“Fractured right arm, mild concussion, several soft tissue injuries…” The doctor stood beside her hospital bed, his gaze steady as he asked, “Any other discomfort?”

Adriana shook her head, reaching for her phone. Not a single call or message from Matthew.

Yet, something caught her eye—Matthew, who rarely ever posted on Instagram, had broken his silence. There it was: a photo of a crystal-clear blue sea, framed by breathtaking scenery.

But the real focus wasn’t the view—it was Natasha, dressed in a flowing Bohemian gown, looking absolutely radiant. She outshone even the stunning background.

Feeling a wave of pain and despair, Adriana curled up, dragging the blanket over her head as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Four years she had spent with Matthew, and what was she to him?

Nothing.

After being discharged, Adriana returned to her small, modest apartment. She swallowed an ibuprofen and drifted into a deep sleep.

Her nerves, tough as steel, allowed her to rest through the entire day until she finally felt somewhat human again.

Once she patched on a few pain relief patches, she forced herself to get back to work.

She needed that intern paycheck—more than anything.

“Did you see Mr. Langford’s post? Seriously, he’s so whipped! He never posts, but now he’s made an exception just for Ms. Jones!” whispered one coworker eagerly.

“Mr. Langford is the perfect gentleman. He stayed loyal all these years, waiting only for her,” another added with a dreamy sigh.

As Adriana stepped into the office, she caught snippets of their gossip. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she sat down at her desk.

Yes, Matthew loved Natasha—that much was true.

But loyal? That was a lie.

She found it bitterly ironic—men were all the same. For them, love and sex were completely separate.

He loved Natasha with his heart, but his body? That had been with Adriana more times than she cared to count.

“Ms. Langford, this is a workplace. Mr. Langford said—”

Suddenly, the elevator dinged, breaking the conversation.

Adriana glanced toward the doors—and her blood ran ice cold.

Mia had arrived.

“Move out of my way!” Mia stormed in, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes that screamed luxury. Without hesitation, she marched straight toward Adriana.

Shrinking back, Adriana lowered her gaze and hunched her shoulders, the haunting shadow of freshman-year bullying still fresh in her mind.

“Adriana,” Mia hissed in a venomous whisper, “Matthew’s coming back today. He and Natasha are getting married.”

A cruel laugh escaped Mia’s lips. “Four years ago, I told you the day Matthew dumps you would be the day you die…”

Adriana froze, heart pounding.

Four years had passed, yet Mia still refused to let her go.

Smack! In front of everyone, Mia’s hand struck Adriana’s cheek.

Adriana didn’t resist. She didn’t even flinch or utter a sound.

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