Adriana, on the other hand, felt her heart sinking as she listened to him.
"No," she finally said, shaking her head, her voice wavering but firm. "I don't want to be with you, Henry."
Her words cut through the atmosphere like a blade, and the crowd seemed to collectively gasp in disbelief.
One voice from the crowd suddenly rose above the others, harsh and accusing. "Ungrateful!" they shouted. "She's so ungrateful! Henry's giving her a second chance, and she won't even take it? What's wrong with her?"
Others joined in, their voices growing louder, as if the judgment had a life of its own. "She's just like cow dung," someone else sneered. "Would rather choose dirt than gold."
Adriana's stomach twisted, the words stinging like a slap to the face.
"Shut up! You are all spouting nonsense! I..."
"Look at her!" a girl shouted, pointing at Adriana. "She's turning down someone who cares about her. She's just too proud to admit she made a mistake."
