Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: You’re Getting Married, Right?

After transferring the money into her bank account, Adriana made her way directly to the large mall nearby. The bustling atmosphere of the place contrasted sharply with the heaviness she felt inside. Fifty thousand dollars was an enormous amount for her—something that could change lives. But for Matthew? It was probably just spare change, a trivial sum tossed around without a second thought.

With a deep breath, Adriana stepped into a high-end boutique, trying to steady her nerves. “I’d like to see that bag,” she said, her voice steady but her heart pounding.

The salesgirl glanced at her, sizing her up quickly. “That one costs $49,800,” she replied with a hint of indifference.

Adriana smiled softly, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and sadness. Perfect. That was exactly the amount she had.

“I’ll take it. Please wrap it up,” she said calmly, sinking into a chair as the ache in her legs grew too much to bear.

Instantly, the salesgirl’s demeanor shifted. Her face brightened into a warm smile as she went to fetch the bag. In this store, a bag priced just under fifty thousand dollars was considered entry-level—nothing extravagant. But for Adriana, it symbolized something far more valuable: her dignity.

Holding the bag in her hands, she noticed how heavy it felt—not just in weight, but in significance. Yet, instead of boosting her confidence, it made her feel even smaller, more fragile.

Just as she was about to leave the counter, her eyes caught another bag displayed prominently nearby. “How much is that one?” she asked, curiosity piqued.

She remembered that bag well. Matthew had given the exact same model to Natasha. When Natasha carried it, she looked graceful and self-assured—radiating a confidence Adriana could only dream of.

“That’s a limited edition,” the salesgirl explained with a smile. “It’s a store display piece. To qualify for it, you’d need at least $30 million in accumulated purchases or to buy around $10 million worth of products.”

Adriana felt her breath catch. Thirty million. The number echoed in her mind.

What did thirty million even mean? For Matthew, it was pocket change—something he might casually spend just to see Natasha smile. But for the orphanage where Adriana had spent much of her life, that amount could save hundreds of children.

Life was strange that way—both priceless and, at times, painfully cheap.

And Adriana? She was firmly on the cheap side of that divide.

The gap between her and Natasha wasn’t just about the price tag on a handbag. It was about family, upbringing, education—every small detail that shaped who they had become.

Matthew would never casually throw a few thousand dollars at Natasha and consider it enough, because Natasha’s worth was far beyond that.

Adriana was never meant to be part of their world. It was almost laughable that she had once believed she meant even a little something to Matthew.

What a cruel joke.

Back in her apartment, Adriana listed the bag for resale on a popular site. It was brand new, priced slightly below retail to ensure a quick sale. Once the money came through, she planned to transfer it immediately to the orphanage director’s account.

The children there still lacked proper winter clothing. Forty thousand dollars would be enough to keep them warm through the cold season.

After a hot shower, Adriana stood in front of her clothing rack, completely naked, trying to decide what to wear for her meeting with Curtis the next day.

Suddenly, the door opened without any warning or knock. Matthew walked in.

Startled, Adriana instinctively grabbed a towel to cover herself. “Mr. Langford…” she began, her voice trembling.

He frowned, carrying a plastic bag filled with cheap fruit from the market downstairs. He never showed up empty-handed, but his gifts were always small—mini cakes, a handful of fruit, a simple bouquet.

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