A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

From her bitter tone, it looked like they couldn’t get along well anymore.

It was a rare occasion that they didn’t start off at each other’s throats, but as fate would have it, things had spiraled back to their usual chaos.

Matilda swallowed the sting of hurt and feigned indifference, “Well, knowing Mr. Boyd, there’s no shortage of flings in your life. It’s all a play, and once the curtain falls, the actors leave. You stopping me like this, I might start thinking you’ve got a

soft spot for me.”

Predictably, her provocation drew out Yvan’s sardonic grin, “Got a soft spot for you? Matilda, you do flatter yourself.”

“I’ve always seen myself clearly.” Matilda spun around to face Yvan, her body trembling yet her smile stunning, “In your eyes, I’m just some tart, aren’t I?”

“If you know it, then scram!” Yvan’s simmering rage erupted at once, his gaze fierce as he stared Matilda down, contempt flashing through his eyes, “Get out of my sight before you taint my mansion any further!”

With tears glistening in her eyes, perhaps mocking them both, she retorted, “I’m. gone. But don’t you dare miss me.”

With that, she slammed the door behind her. The sound of the door crashing shut seemed to symbolize the shattering of their worlds.

As Matilda’s figure disappeared beyond the threshold, Yvan, in a fit of fury, smashed the ashtray beside him. Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

The woman was insufferable. Why…why had he ever taken her away from Mason’s place?

At that moment, his phone rang. Yvan’s gaze settled on the incoming number, and his expression abruptly softened.

When he answered, a sweet, tender voice greeted him, “Yvan, I’m back home. Are you going to pick me up?”

Dragging her weary body out of the cab, Matilda returned home to find Gideon bustling in the kitchen, preparing lunch. When he saw her, he rushed over anxiously, “Where were you last night? I was this close to calling the cops; do you know that?”

12:47

Upon seeing Gideon, Matilda felt a surge of relief. Her eyes, already red, couldn’t hold back the tears any longer, and they fell freely.

The physical pain, the emotional torment, it all came crashing down on her in that moment. Clutching at Gideon’s shirt, she sobbed with a raw intensity, as if expelling all her strength.

Gideon’s anger flared upon noticing the love bites on Matilda’s neck, “Who was it?! Who took advantage of you?!”

Matilda shook her head, crying, refusing to confess. Gideon gripped her shoulders firmly, “Was it Yvan? Was it him? I’ll confront him, I swear! How dare he treat you this way! He has the nerve to…”

Matilda trembled violently, feeling as though she was suffocating. Ever since she had faced Yvan, the struggle had been relentless. She had tried to contain herself, but

now her fingers trembled uncontrollably.

In broken sentences, she managed to convey her despair, “Gideon…I’m in so much pain…I can barely breathe.”

Gideon scooped her up and placed her on the bed, fetching some water and rummaging for medication to ease her distress.

Matilda, unable to contain her fear, curled up defensively and pleaded, “Gideon…save me. I can’t get entangled with Yvan anymore. Please save me.“.

Yvan – the deepest wound in her heart, one that bled profusely at the slightest touch.

1

As Matilda’s fingers twisted together, Gideon stayed by her side, soothing her until she finally calmed down. It took a while longer for her to fully explain the events of the previous night.

Gideon listened, each word a thorn in his heart.