Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 58

**Chapter 58: Orphanage Visit**

Adriana’s heart raced as she stole a glance at Curtis, a mixture of anxiety and guilt swirling within her. “I’m really sorry,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“There’s no need to apologize to me. I’m not the one you should be making amends with,” Curtis replied, his brow furrowed in irritation.

“He said that in less than two weeks, you’d be filing for divorce,” Adriana’s voice dropped as she spoke, her eyes fixated on the floor, unable to meet his gaze.

“Is that so? So, what? Did I marry you just for appearances?” Curtis’s frustration was palpable as he rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the headache forming at the base of his skull. “Do you genuinely believe any of her nonsense? Who’s your husband here? Me or her?”

Adriana took a deep breath, the weight of his words sinking in. “She just sounded so confident,” she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

“So you’re willing to take her word over mine just because she spoke with conviction?” Curtis let out a sharp, humorless laugh, the irritation evident in his tone. “Next time, please, for the love of everything, just tell me immediately.”

Adriana nodded, her compliance evident, though a part of her still felt the sting of doubt.

“And let me make this clear: if there’s anyone you find yourself disliking, you don’t have to put up with them or show them any courtesy—my grandfather included,” Curtis added, his tone shifting to one of calm authority.

She looked at him, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes.

But wasn’t this entire charade of a marriage for Harold’s sake? How could she ever bring herself to disrespect him, even if he was difficult?

“If there’s ever a problem with my grandfather, he’ll come to me first, not you. I’ll handle it. All I need from you is your trust. No questions asked,” Curtis stated firmly, his gaze steady.

Adriana nodded again, feeling a mix of relief and unease.

As their car rolled to a stop in front of the old orphanage, the familiar sounds of laughter and playful shouts filled the air. Children were scattered across the yard, some shooting hoops while others chased each other in a game of tag.

Most of these children had been left behind due to disabilities or health issues, their futures uncertain, reliant on the orphanage for shelter and care.

Some of the older kids had already crossed the threshold of eighteen, yet Lydia couldn’t bear the thought of sending them away. The orphanage had become more than just a place; it was their home.

“Adriana’s back!” Mary, who worked in the kitchen, exclaimed with uncontained excitement upon spotting her.

Moments later, Lydia emerged, flanked by several staff members, her face lighting up with joy.

“Lydia,” Adriana called out, her voice thick with emotion, the realization hitting her like a wave—four long years had passed since she last set foot here, and not once had she returned.

In those years, her connection had been limited to phone calls and the occasional money transfer. Matthew had been adamant about not visiting the orphanage with her, and the travel expenses from Haldoria to Francisca County had been too steep for her to manage.

“Lydia, how have things been here?” Adriana asked, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

Lydia smiled, her hand gently patting Adriana’s back. “We’re managing alright. The renovation approval finally came through. There was a moment when we thought we’d have to shut down due to lack of funding, but the Lincoln Group’s charity foundation stepped in.”

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