Ms. Escape: Marrying to Run, Fighting to Rise Novel

Chapter 49 Curtis Won't Be in Love with Me Adriana could tell something was off with Belinda . Finished . " You've been seeing someone , haven't you ? " she asked softly , remembering what Curtis had said the night before . " If something happened - if anyone's bothering you - you can always tell Curtis ." Belinda's head snapped up , eyes blazing . " Mind your own damn business . Don't you dare tell him - or I'll ... " She trailed off , lips trembling . She couldn't risk Curtis finding out . He was too strict , too intimidating . The next second , her composure cracked .

She sniffled once - then burst into tears . Adriana sighed . Belinda was still so young , barely a freshman . She had no mother , no one to confide in about things like this . Watching her cry , Adriana's anger softened into pity . She pulled out a tissue and handed it to her . " Finish breakfast first . I'll take you to campus after ." Belinda's school , Haldoria Dance Academy , wasn't far from Haldoria University - both were in the same university district . " I don't need your fake kindness . I'm not going , " Belinda muttered , pushing her plate away . " And it's all because of you .

Ever since he married you , he kicked me out ! " " Funny , you act so fierce at home , yet you let people walk all over you outside . " Adriana was curious . " Didn't he buy you a place near campus so you'd have somewhere safe to stay ? " " None of your business ," Belinda mumbled , staring into her plate . Adriana let it go . After breakfast , she asked Tom to get the car ready . But when it was time to leave , Belinda locked herself in her room . " Belinda , if you don't open the door , I'll call Curtis , " Adriana warned , knocking firmly . The door flew open . Belinda glared at her .

" You're so annoying . " She slung her backpack over one shoulder , jammed a cap on her head , shoved in her earbuds , 1/3 8:43 Sat , Jan 3 Chapter 49 Curtis Won't Be in Love with Me and stomped off toward the car . M Finished Adriana sighed . Kids these days carried so much anger - they fought the world just to feel seen . Tom dropped Belinda off first since she was a freshman and had a heavier workload . She didn't say a word or even glance back , just walked straight toward the gates . But before she could reach the entrance , a few girls blocked her way . " Belinda , you're such a leech .

Even Curtis's done with you ." " Stop pretending you're some star student . Flirting with the school's golden boy doesn't make you the campus sweetheart - you're a joke ." The girls from the art school were even wilder than Adriana had imagined , bold enough to pick a fight right at the entrance . Adriana's expression darkened . She stepped out of the car , raised her phone , and started recording . " Harassing a student in public ? " she said coldly . " Good . I'll post this online . Let's see how much attention you really like ." The girls froze , staring at Adriana .

" Who the hell are you ? This isn't your business . " " I'm her aunt ." Adriana's tone sharpened as her eyes fixed on them . " And this video ? It'll go straight to Curtis . You know him , right ? The kind of man who doesn't take kindly to people targeting his family . Think carefully about what that might cost you . " " W - We were just messing around ... " one stammered , glancing nervously at Belinda . " Say something ! " Adriana looked at Belinda and , for a moment , saw her younger self from four years ago .

She hadn't expected that even with Curtis behind her , Belinda could still be bullied . Maybe it was because those girls knew she and Curtis shared no real blood relation . They called her a leech , using the words " the one Curtis's done with " to hurt her . " I can choose not to post this ," Adriana said coldly , " but you're going to apologize to her right now . And if you ever bully her again , I'll not only post the video online - I'll have Curtis come to your school himself . " " Sorry ...

" The girls froze and exchanged glances , then muttered unwillingly before snorting and running off . Belinda shot Adriana a glare . " Who asked you to butt in ? " 2 / 8:43 Sat , Jan 3 Chapter 49 Curtis Won't Be in Love with Me C Finished Adriana sighed . " When I was a freshman , I was bullied too . I didn't fight back because I was an orphan - 1 had no one behind me , no protection . I couldn't afford the consequences of resisting . But you're Curtis's niece . He clearly cares about you . Why don't you stand up for yourself ? " Belinda's eyes reddened . She clenched her backpack straps .

" What do you know ? I'm an orphan too ! I just live in his house ... If I cause trouble and make him angry , what if he doesn't want me anymore ? " She was afraid - afraid that if she upset anyone , Curtis would lose patience and abandon her . " You really don't seem to understand Curtis at all , " Adriana said softly . " If he didn't care about you , he wouldn't have kept you by his side and raised you all these years ." Belinda let out a shaky laugh . " He raised me because of my mom . He loved her . After she died , he took me in . But I'm not his daughter , not even his real niece ...

་ ་ Her voice cracked . " What if one day ... he stops loving my mom and falls in love with you instead ? " Tears welled up and fell . She didn't actually hate Adriana ; she was just terrified - terrified of losing the only sense of security she had . She was scared that Curtis would get married , scared he'd fall in love with someone else . " Curtis won't fall in love with me , " Adriana said quietly , lowering her gaze - though she didn't know why those words made her chest ache just a little . 108 AdminJ