Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 48

**When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen by Kael Niro Senn**

**My Mother’s Not Dead**

“You really don’t have to engage with him—and you absolutely cannot. His entire purpose is to provoke you. The instant you react, you give him the upper hand. Just ignore him. Keep your distance,” Curtis advised, his voice steady but filled with earnest concern. He looked directly at her, his expression a mixture of determination and protectiveness. “Focus on your studies. As long as you show you care, he’ll keep acting like a wounded animal, desperate to lash out.”

Adriana paused, absorbing his words. She nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his advice settle in her mind. It made sense; she knew he was right.

Once back in her room, she perched on the edge of her bed, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. Her thumb scrolled through the trending topics on social media, her mind racing with thoughts of the day.

After Matthew had brazenly admitted to “keeping a college girl,” the fallout was nothing short of catastrophic. His meticulously maintained image as a devoted, loyal partner crumbled in an instant, leaving behind a trail of ridicule and scorn.

The very same people who had once lauded his supposed fidelity to his first love for four long years were now mocking him mercilessly.

He had scorched the earth beneath him, all in a bid to burn her.

And now, even his fiancée, Natasha, found herself the subject of derision among their friends.

Adriana sighed heavily, her finger hovering over the screen as she contemplated setting her phone down for the night. Just as she was about to close it, a new trending topic caught her attention like a beacon.

“Harborton’s Crown Prince Curtis Lincoln Announces His Marriage.”

Within moments, it had surged to the top of the national feed, igniting a flurry of reactions.

Her heart raced as she tapped on the post. The first image was from Curtis’s verified account, displaying a photo of their marriage certificate, accompanied by a simple yet profound caption: “A promise fulfilled. I’ll give you a home.”

Adriana’s breath caught in her throat, her mind racing to comprehend the implications of his words. The public nature of the post was unmistakable—a declaration, a challenge to Matthew.

She felt a flicker of surprise; Curtis’s fierce protectiveness was more intense than she had anticipated.

Her chest tightened, and her heart pounded in her ears. She set her phone aside and slipped beneath the covers, a small smile tugging at her lips.

For reasons she couldn’t quite articulate, seeing that post filled her with an unexpected sense of security.

It was as if, with Curtis by her side, every wound, every fear, would finally be tended to and healed.

As she drifted between wakefulness and slumber, she sensed a presence in her room.

But the exhaustion that enveloped her was too great; she could barely muster the energy to open her eyes.

Curtis stood silently beside her bed, gently adjusting the blanket that had slipped from her shoulders. He lingered there, watching over her, before finally turning to leave, his footsteps soft against the floor.

The next morning greeted Adriana with the stark reality of an empty house. Curtis had already departed.

According to his plans, he was meant to leave for a business trip immediately after their registration. He had only stopped in Harborton to finalize the marriage paperwork with her.

“I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. I’ll take you to the orphanage then,” he had promised.

He hadn’t forgotten his vow. His text had come through, a reminder of his commitment.

A faint smile graced Adriana’s lips as she stretched lazily, warmth blooming in her chest.

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