A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 9

Glancing upward, the sight that met his gaze was a stark and jarring one: Matilda’s right hand was marred by the absence of a part of her little finger – a shocking imperfection laid bare

before his eyes,

In that instant, the strikingly handsome man could no longer contain his voice, which erupted in an anguished cry. “What the hell happened?”

Matilda’s laughter was wild and unrestrained, as if she had been possessed by madness, her eyes reflecting Yvan’s stunned expression.

“Isn’t this the very gift you gave to me? Yvan, I’ve had my fill of the bitterness you’ve doled out in my life. Please, just let me gol” she begged.

Yvan stumbled backward, his grip on her hand slackening as disbelief lifted his gaze to meet hers.

In her fractured eyes, there was no love left, only a deep–seated loathing that seemed to burn within her very marrow.

Pain spread through him unguarded, like reaching out to grasp something fiercely only to find it. shattering into pieces the next moment. The unexpected sting began to prickle and spread throughout his body.

had wanted to lock her away, to make her rue her

had violated her in prison, who had stripped her of

looked at Matilda, a sudden intense fear gripped him; he was terrified that he could no longer

why did she feel

and the loss of reason that Matilda had endured for over five years.

were filled with nothing but

him. He stood outside, hunched over, clutching at his collar as

Matilda changed so? What had happened to her in

have been pleased to witness,

body slid down,

agony.

roar escaped her as if trying

12:05

Chapter 9