Bullied and Dumped, But She Won in the End (Adriana) novel Chapter 82

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

**Chapter 82: Tense Car Ride**

Adriana remained silent, her body instinctively retreating against Curtis, seeking comfort in his presence, yet feeling the weight of uncertainty.

In her mind, she had already painted a picture where Matthew was the instigator of the conflict.

“Matthew…” As if the air itself had been waiting for her words, the car window slid down, and Natasha, who had been holding back her frustration for what felt like an eternity, finally broke her silence. Her voice was low but firm, cutting through the tension like a knife. “We need to leave now, or we’ll miss our flight.”

Matthew’s brow furrowed, his gaze flickering toward Adriana for a fleeting moment before he climbed into the vehicle.

Natasha’s eyes lingered on Adriana, her tone cool and almost menacing as she added, “See you in Haldoria, Adriana.”

The weight of her words hung in the air, leaving a chill in Adriana’s chest.

“Curtis, you guys didn’t really fight, did you?” Adriana huffed, her voice laced with frustration and a tinge of fear that kept her from unleashing her anger fully.

…

Fear still gripped her heart when it came to Curtis.

Curtis’s lips curled into a relaxed smile, as if the world around him was nothing but a fleeting distraction. “Since you stood up for me, I’ll treat you to two servings of dessert balls.”

Adriana, though hesitant, murmured her agreement, allowing Curtis to guide her toward the car, his hand warm against her back.

“Curtis!” Tom’s voice broke through the moment, and as he drove up, the rear window rolled down to reveal Nicole’s striking features, her expression a mix of eagerness and discomfort.

Tom, looking slightly out of place, stepped out and opened the door. “Mr. Curtis… Mr. Harold asked you to take Ms. Nicole shopping and show her around Harborton.”

In an instant, Curtis’s demeanor shifted, his earlier joviality replaced by a shadow of displeasure.

Nicole, blissfully unaware of the tension, patted the empty seat beside her. “Curtis, sit here.”

The car was designed for five, and with Nicole occupying the back seat, it meant that Curtis and Adriana would have to separate. There was simply no way the three of them could fit comfortably in the cramped rear seat.

Adriana began to move toward the front passenger seat, but Curtis’s hand shot out, stopping her in her tracks.

Curtis, for reasons she couldn’t quite fathom, wore an odd expression. He shot Adriana a frosty look. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Is she not even trying to shield me? Just pushing me toward another woman?

…

“I’m getting in the car?” Adriana replied, confusion evident in her voice.

“Sit in the back,” Curtis commanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Adriana nodded obediently and slid into the back seat next to Nicole, feeling the tension thicken around them.

Nicole huffed, clearly irked by the arrangement.

Adriana had expected Curtis to take the front, but instead, he squeezed himself into the back with her.

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