A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 15

Chase was adamant about having a heart–to–heart with Matilda, and despite her reluctance, she agreed. He took her to a diner, which was their usual hangout spot.

As they entered, a man seated at the counter chuckled and said, “Damn, Chase, leave with one girl and come back with another. You trying to wear yourself out?”

“Watch it, Mason Farrell, or I’ll have to schedule you an eye exam,” Chase replied with an eye roll. “Do you know this lady?”

Mason squinted at Matilda, drawing out his words, “She looks kinda familiar…”

Chase pulled Matilda to a booth and got straight to the point, “Yvan’s ex–wife.”

“Damn.” Mason Farrell almost spit out his coffee, choked it down, and then turned to Matilda, “Ms. Thompson?”

“Yes, that’s me,” Matilda responded coolly, her voice indifferent yet commanding respect.

“You alright?”

The shocking turn of events five years ago had taken all their friends by surprise when Matilda was sent to prison as a murderer, courtesy of Yvan, without a chance for redemption.

Matilda sitting across from him, Mason squinted slightly. She seemed different yet the same. The unchanged aspect was her cool, noble demeanor; even after five years behind bars, she was still the dazzling heiress of the Thompson family. But her eyes had changed. They were lifeless and desolate as if she had no hope left for

how could

moment of silence, he tried to break the ice. “So… Chase, what’s the

“I… did some digging on you. Is Dawn your stage name.

“The eccentric designer Dawn? Matilda, is

her

widened in disbelief. “But my research showed it was

her head down slightly, revealing a glimpse

didn’t speak for a while before slowly responding.

said flatly, “I can give

still skeptical, but if

+

12:06

Chapter 15

she wasn’t Dawn.

the information

thanks. You can reach me at the number on my business card.”