Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 40

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**
**Chapter 40: Street Food with Curtis**

Adriana felt a delightful warmth wash over her as she intertwined her fingers with Curtis’s, leading him through the vibrant maze of street food stalls. The atmosphere buzzed with life; the air was thick with the tantalizing scents of sizzling meats and sweet confections, yet beneath the excitement, a knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach. “Mr. Curtis,” she ventured, her voice wavering between enthusiasm and apprehension, “didn’t you say we were supposed to keep our marriage under wraps?”

Curtis paused, turning to her with a seriousness that belied the festive surroundings. “I mentioned we wouldn’t make a grand announcement,” he replied, his voice calm and reassuring. “But hiding it? That’s not necessary.”

Adriana’s mind raced, caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The contract she had signed felt like a heavy anchor, reminding her that retreating from this path would come at a steep cost. She was trapped in a reality that was as thrilling as it was daunting, and she had to find her way through it.

“Look! That’s the hot dog stand!” she exclaimed suddenly, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia as she pointed to a stall adorned with colorful banners. “The owner has always been so kind to me. During my rough patches, he let me help out even when he didn’t need any extra hands.”

Curtis’s brow knitted in concern, his interest piqued. “For those four years with Matthew… he didn’t provide you with an allowance?”

Adriana hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. “No, he did,” she replied, her voice faltering slightly. But the truth was far more complicated; Matthew had never handed her cash directly. Instead, he had given her a card that allowed her to purchase items only at select places, limiting her choices and independence.

Most of the time, she hardly used it. The local eateries near campus didn’t accept cards, and the few that did were far too expensive for her modest budget. Adriana had been devoted, sending nearly all her earnings from part-time jobs back to the orphanage. Matthew was well aware that she sometimes went months without spending a single cent from his card.

“Let’s grab a hot dog,” Curtis suggested, his mood visibly dampened by her revelations.

Adriana nodded, sensing the heaviness that lingered in the air. In a bid to lighten the mood, she added, “Matthew used to say he liked the hot dogs here too. I bought some for him once, and he said they were good!”

Mentioning Matthew only deepened Curtis’s frown. He released her hand and approached the stall, engaging in conversation with the owner as if their previous discussion had never occurred. “Boss, any seats available?”

“Absolutely!” the owner beamed, wiping his hands on his apron. “Adriana’s friend, right?”

“Yes!” Adriana replied, her spirits lifting as she greeted the owner. She instinctively jumped in to help serve food to other customers, feeling a rush of fond memories flooding back.

“Don’t worry about helping out. You’re here with a friend—go sit down! I’ll whip you up the best hot dogs,” the owner insisted, his smile warm and welcoming.

Gratefully, Adriana nodded, hurrying to a nearby stool. She took a tissue and wiped the surface, ensuring it was clean, anxious that Curtis might find it unsanitary.

Curtis, dressed in his tailored suit and sporting an expensive watch, seemed almost out of place sitting at this humble stall. Yet here he was, sharing this moment with her, and it felt surreal—a clash of their worlds.

“Curtis,” she said, her voice brightening with enthusiasm. “Do you want some pudding? It’s really good. My treat!” She pointed to a nearby stall run by an elderly lady whose smile radiated warmth.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify