A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 1

Rachel Archer was dead.

Matilda Thompson sat numbly on the edge of her bed; the divorce papers Yvan Boyd had flung at her lay crumpled by her trembling fingers. The room felt as chilly as a tomb.

Just an hour ago, Yvan had his hands around her throat, his voice low and dangerous. “Did you push Rachel down those stairs?”

An hour later, he was standing over her with a lawyer at his side, dropping the draft of a divorce agreement in her lap like a gauntlet. “Matilda Thompson, you owe her not one but two lives!”

That’s right, two, Rachel was pregnant with Yvan’s child.

Who was Matilda in this twisted play? Yvan’s lawful wife, a mere punchline in a cruel joke.

Tears reddened her eyes as she faced Yvan, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. “I didn’t push her. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

Yvan didn’t listen. He just stared at her, his gaze cold and mocking. “Do you really think explanations matter now?”

They didn’t. It was too late. In Yvan’s mind, she was guilty. No amount of pleading could outweigh the word of a woman no longer alive to speak for herself.

Matilda as she stood abruptly, snatching up the pen to sign her

Divorce, he wanted?

Fine.

she said with a forced smile, her voice dripping with pride despite the tears she fought back. “Let’s consider those years a joke. From now on, we go our separate ways!”

him, her heart for her to keep. She signed the

really think it ends with’signing

else do

your Thompson family to pay for Rachel’s funeral!” His declaration was merciless. “Starting

bed, quivering. She looked at the man before her, whose handsome features

five years of marriage, she had left deep imprints in his life. Yet now, for

Chapter 1

enough?” she asked, her eyes brimming with hurt. “Why go after the Thompson family? My

death,” Yvan spat, gripping Matilda’s chin with a force that made her wince, “is the greatest betrayal your family could

out of hell, he smiled. “It wasn’t enough to force me to marry you, was it? Now, you had to take her life, too. Matilda, you’re more heartless than I could’ve ever imagined!” The shock

trembled. “Is this how