Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 65

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

**Morning With Curtis**

Adriana felt an overwhelming urge to disappear, to find a small, dark hole where she could curl up and vanish from the world. With a deep sigh, she buried her face against Curtis’s shoulder, shaking her head in a mix of confusion and embarrassment.

Curtis, ever the steady presence, offered her a warm smile, his arms wrapping around her as they stood together in the shower, the warm water cascading over their bodies.

Every brush of his skin against hers sent shivers racing through her, a reminder of how sensitive she still was. It was as if every nerve ending had come alive, tingling with the lightest touch.

“Don’t worry, I promise I’m not going to do anything,” Curtis said, his tone reassuring and straightforward.

Adriana tightened her grip on him, her voice barely above a whisper, “Do you think I’m easy?”

Just days into their marriage, they found themselves sharing a bed, a situation that felt both thrilling and daunting.

Even if their union was meant to fulfill a purpose, to tick off some boxes on a checklist, it felt far too soon to be crossing such intimate thresholds.

“You’re my wife. What married couple waits this long? You know, wedding nights are for more than just conversation,” he chastised himself silently, regretting that he hadn’t been more persuasive on the very day they signed the papers.

He thought to himself, I’ve held back for so long, and for what?

Adriana stammered, her cheeks flushing, “B-but we don’t have any real feelings.”

This was a rushed marriage, a contractual agreement rather than a blossoming romance.

“It’s not too late to start building that foundation,” Curtis replied, determination creeping into his voice.

With gentle hands, he rinsed her off completely, wrapping her in a towel before lifting her effortlessly back to the bed.

Adriana felt a wave of dizziness wash over her; for a brief moment, she almost believed the sweet nothings Curtis murmured in her ear.

Could it be possible? Could Curtis actually be in love with me?

The thought flickered through her mind, only to be extinguished just as quickly.

No, that’s impossible.

I’m only here to complete the task at hand—get pregnant with Curtis’s child and bide my time until Harold is no longer a part of the picture…

“Go to sleep,” he whispered softly, his voice laced with warmth.

That night, as they lay together, Curtis held Adriana close, refusing to let her lie alone at the edge of the bed.

Listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, she finally found a semblance of peace, drifting into a restful sleep devoid of nightmares.

For the first time in years, she didn’t wake up in a panic.

Since her tumultuous first year of college, where bullying had left her feeling vulnerable, Adriana had struggled to find solace in sleep.

She had relied heavily on Matthew, seeking security in a relationship that had ultimately failed her.

But now, she realized that true security didn’t solely come from him.

There had been a time when she nearly lost herself in that toxic love, standing on the edge of a bridge, contemplating whether death would bring her relief.

A stranger had once told her there were billions of men in the world; if one didn’t work out, another would surely come along.

Back then, the thought of escaping Matthew’s grip felt impossible.

Yet here she was, with another man beside her.

A man who treated her with kindness and respect.

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