In Chapter 137 of “When Time Tried to Heal Me But I Refused to Listen,” Adriana navigates a tense meal with Cynthia, Curtis’s first love, as they attempt to support Cynthia’s recovery. Adriana expresses her desire for a quieter setting, suggesting that Eva stay with Cynthia instead. Deep down, she grapples with her reluctance to share her space with Cynthia, driven by a mix of protectiveness over her relationship with Curtis and a selfish desire to keep him to herself. Curtis supports Adriana’s decision, but Cynthia’s silent resentment looms over the gathering.

As they sit down for a meal at an upscale bistro, the atmosphere is charged with unspoken tension. Adriana feels nauseous, not from morning sickness but from the discomfort of being in close proximity to Cynthia. The meal unfolds in awkward silence, with each character carefully choosing their words. When Cynthia finally breaks the silence by inquiring about Adriana’s pregnancy, the conversation takes a sharp turn. Adriana is caught off guard, feeling the weight of Cynthia’s probing questions and veiled implications about her intentions as a mother.

Cynthia’s comments reveal her possessive nature, as she insinuates that she will take care of the child as if it were her own. This triggers a protective instinct in Adriana, who asserts her role as the child’s mother. The conversation escalates as Cynthia questions the dynamics of Adriana and Curtis’s relationship, hinting at her own unresolved feelings. Adriana, feeling cornered, chooses silence over confrontation, aware that any fight for custody in the future could be a losing battle.

Belinda, caught in the middle, observes the tension between her mother and Adriana, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. She attempts to redirect Cynthia’s focus back to her own health, but her mother remains fixated on regaining Curtis’s attention. The chapter culminates in a moment of crisis when Cynthia feigns illness, seeking Curtis’s support, leaving Adriana to grapple with her emotions and the complexities of their intertwined lives. The meal, intended to be a supportive gathering, instead highlights the fragile balance of relationships and the deep-seated insecurities each character harbors.

**Chapter 137: An Awkward Meal**

“Well, Cynthia,” Adriana began, her voice steady but her mind racing, “I really prefer a quieter setting for now. How about I arrange for Eva to stay with you instead? Honestly, I don’t need much assistance in these early stages.” The words spilled out almost reflexively, as if her subconscious had taken over before she could fully process what she was saying.

Deep down, she was acutely aware of her reluctance to share her space with Curtis’s first love. The thought of living under the same roof as Cynthia made her stomach churn. What if she accidentally said something insensitive? What if she did something that would set off old wounds?

And if she was being completely honest with herself, there was an undeniable selfishness lurking beneath her surface. She didn’t want to share Curtis—not even the space they occupied together.

Curtis nodded in agreement, his brow slightly furrowed in thought. “That sounds good. Eva can accompany you. You two already have a rapport, and she’s been looking after Belinda for years. You’ll have plenty to discuss.”

However, Cynthia’s expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She opened her mouth, seemingly ready to protest, but upon noticing that neither Curtis nor Adriana was willing to budge, she turned her gaze out the window, sulking in silence.

Belinda, sitting quietly at the table, observed her mother with a heavy heart. She remained silent, her own emotions a tangled web of confusion and frustration. She understood the depth of her mother’s affection for Curtis, the dreams of a life they could have had together. Yet, now, Curtis was married to someone else—Adriana.

If Adriana had been just an ordinary woman, perhaps Belinda could have brushed off her feelings. But Adriana was different. She was the woman who had taken Curtis away, the woman who now stood firmly in their lives.

They arrived at an upscale bistro, a place known for its light and contemporary cuisine, carefully chosen for Cynthia’s recovery. The menu featured dishes that were gentle on the stomach, but for Adriana, the atmosphere felt suffocating. A wave of nausea washed over her, even though it was too early for typical morning sickness. The sight and smell of the bland food made her stomach twist in discomfort.

Her cravings had shifted, leaning toward something much spicier—like hot buffalo wings. The meal unfolded in a near silence, with an air of tension hanging over the table. Each person seemed to be on guard, carefully choosing their words, as if they were navigating a minefield.

Adriana was acutely aware of Cynthia’s wariness towards her. With Cynthia opting for silence, Adriana felt it was unwise to initiate any conversation.

Noticing that Adriana was hardly touching her food, Curtis excused himself, leaving the private dining room for a moment.

“So, Adriana, you’re pregnant? Was it IVF? That was… quick,” Cynthia finally broke the silence, her tone casual but her curiosity evident as soon as Curtis stepped out.

Adriana’s fork clattered onto her plate, the sound echoing in the charged atmosphere. A string inside her mind snapped tight. Here it comes, she thought, bracing herself for the inevitable onslaught.

“Um, yes, that’s correct. The IVF process has become quite streamlined now. Implantation can happen right after retrieval,” Adriana managed to say, taking a deep breath as she grasped for a coherent explanation. The last thing she wanted was for Cynthia to find out that she and Curtis had been intimate. That revelation would surely upset her.

“Don’t stress, I was just asking,” Cynthia replied, her tone light as she used the serving utensils to pile some steamed green beans onto Adriana’s plate. “You should eat more. You need those nutrients for a healthy baby.”

Adriana nodded, her breath tightening in her chest. It felt as though Cynthia was already assuming she would be relinquishing the baby after its birth.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the child for you. After all, it’s Curtis’s. I’ll treat it as my own,” Cynthia declared with a calmness that felt almost like a veiled threat, a subtle claim of ownership.

Curtis had assured Adriana that once the baby arrived, they wouldn’t be divorcing for at least three years. “I’ll be the one caring for my child,” Adriana asserted, feeling an overwhelming surge of protectiveness. It was as if Cynthia had just crossed an invisible line.

Cynthia’s face tightened, her brows knitting together in a frown. “He said you wouldn’t divorce for three years after the birth?”

Adriana nodded, her heart racing. “Yes? Isn’t that… an unspoken family rule of his?”

“What nonsense…” Cynthia’s breath hitched slightly, as if she was struggling to contain her irritation. She seemed to bite back an immediate retort, forcing a faint, knowing smile. “He’s probably just worried that a newborn would be too disruptive for my rest. Caring for an infant is exhausting work. By age three, they’re much easier to manage.”

Adriana looked down at her plate, choosing silence over further confrontation.

She couldn’t afford to ask for too much. The thought of fighting Curtis for custody if they divorced felt like a futile dream, one she had no hope of realizing.

“Mom, you should focus on taking care of yourself. You don’t need to worry about someone else’s baby,” Belinda murmured quietly, pushing her own food around her plate, avoiding eye contact.

Cynthia shot a glance at her daughter, her expression unreadable, but didn’t respond.

Moments later, Curtis returned, accompanied by a server who placed a plate of freshly made chips with jalapeño salsa and a few other small bites before them. “You didn’t seem to have much of an appetite. Try these. I had the kitchen make them fresh,” he suggested gently, sliding into his seat beside Adriana. “See if they’re more to your liking.”

Adriana glanced nervously at Curtis and then tentatively tried a chip with the jalapeño salsa. To her surprise, it was delicious—spicy and bursting with flavor.

Seeing her approval, Curtis smiled warmly. “Have some more then, or you’ll be hungry later.”

Adriana couldn’t help but steal glances at him, feeling a mix of gratitude and anxiety. He was being so attentive to her, right in front of his first love. Cynthia must be seething, she thought.

True to her expectations, Cynthia’s expression darkened, her face clouded with stormy emotions. She sipped her pumpkin soup in silence for a few moments before suddenly clutching her chest, her face paling. “Ugh… Curtis, I suddenly feel very unwell. Could you take me to the hospital?”

Belinda watched her mother with a detached expression, saying nothing, her mind racing. A daughter knows her mother best; she recognized the tactic immediately—this was a desperate attempt to pull Curtis’s attention back to herself.

But if Curtis still had feelings for Cynthia, why was he so concerned about Adriana?

“I’ll take you to the hospital,” Curtis said, his brows knitting together with worry as he stood up, moving quickly to check on Cynthia.

Cynthia leaned into him, feigning weakness as she sought his support, her eyes flickering with a mix of vulnerability and cunning.

As the meal came to a close, the tension that had simmered throughout the gathering reached a boiling point, leaving Adriana feeling both protective and vulnerable. The stark reality of her situation hit her hard; she was not just sharing a table with Curtis and Cynthia but also a life that felt precariously balanced between love and rivalry. The spicy chips had offered a brief reprieve, a momentary distraction from the emotional turmoil that threatened to engulf her. Yet, as Curtis rushed to attend to Cynthia’s feigned distress, Adriana’s heart sank, realizing that no matter how much she tried to stake her claim on their future, the specter of Cynthia loomed large over their lives. She was not just an ex; she was a constant reminder of what could have been, and that was a burden Adriana felt ill-prepared to carry.

In that moment, as she watched Curtis’s concern for Cynthia, a flicker of doubt crept into Adriana’s mind. Was she truly ready for the challenges ahead? The stakes were high, and the emotional scars from the past were still fresh. Yet, as she looked at Curtis, she felt a surge of determination. She had to fight for her family, for the love they had built together. It was a battle she could not shy away from, even if it meant standing firm against Cynthia’s manipulations. The meal had been awkward, laden with unspoken words and hidden agendas, but it had also crystallized her resolve. Adriana understood that healing was not just about time; it was about confronting the past head-on, asserting her place in Curtis’s life, and preparing to embrace the future they had dreamed of together, no matter how complicated it might become.

**What to Expect in the ?**

In the upcoming chapter, tensions are set to escalate as the dynamics between Adriana, Curtis, and Cynthia continue to unravel. With Cynthia’s feigned illness serving as a catalyst, Adriana is left to grapple with her insecurities and the fear of losing Curtis’s attention. As they navigate this emotionally charged situation, readers can expect a deeper exploration of the past relationships that bind them, revealing secrets that may threaten the fragile peace they’ve established. Will Curtis’s concern for Cynthia inadvertently push Adriana further away, or will it solidify their bond as they confront the complexities of their intertwined lives?

Moreover, the chapter promises to delve into Belinda’s perspective, providing insight into her conflicted feelings towards both her mother and Adriana. As she witnesses the unfolding drama, her internal struggle may lead to unexpected revelations that could shift the balance of their relationships. Will Belinda find the courage to voice her concerns, or will she remain a silent observer in this emotional tempest? As the stakes rise, the next chapter is poised to deliver a thrilling mix of confrontation, vulnerability, and the quest for resolution, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the fallout from this awkward meal.

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.