A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 25

When Yvan walked into the hospital the next day, Matilda’s medical team had changed shifts. The attending physician caught sight of him and called out, passing him some reports with a heavy sigh. “Mr. Boyd, your wife’s condition is quite serious…”

Yvan didn’t correct the doctor about his relationship with Matilda, allowing him to continue. “She’s suffering from severe depression and appears to have been through a significant trauma. Mr. Boyd, has anything… happened between you and your wife in the past?”

Clutching the paper, Yvan’s fingers ached from the thin report’s edge. His throat felt clogged with cotton, and after a long pause, he managed to mutter, “No… nothing.”

“I see.” said the doctor, removing his glasses to clean them. “Medication alone won’t cure this. We’ve checked her records; she’s been treated before but never followed a consistent regimen. She only takes medication when she feels an episode coming on. That’s not enough for a full recovery, and she seems unwilling to engage in therapy. Mr. Boyd, this may take some time. Do you know what your wife enjoys? What makes her happy?”

That last question stumped Yvan.

What did Matilda enjoy?

He realized he had no idea.

Finding it impossible to continue the conversation, Yvan mumbled an excuse and left, the doctor’s words echoing in his mind.

“Your wife must have endured some harsh experiences. Mr. Boyd. If there’s anything you’re keeping from us, please share. It will help us tailor a better treatment plan. Her condition is quite severe. You know, the scars on her wrists–they’re not from just one incident. They’re layers of new and old wounds. The most recent one from two weeks ago.”

Two weeks ago felt scarily recent. How many times had she harmed herself?

Matilda had been resorting to self–harm when the pressure became unbearable, alone at night

with a blade against her wrist.

of stature from five years back, was long gone.

He returned to Matilda’s hospital room and

contemplating escape for the first time.

woman, his former wife–sentenced to prison by his own

killed Rachel and now she lived like this. Yvan felt he should

like the real

⠀ Chapter 25

this state.

stood at the door, pale and hesitant, ultimately unable to enter. He turned and walked down

“It’s me. Yvan.”

out even in the hospital, drawing covert glances from the nurses, who whispered speculations about

to Matilda during her five

admission, but Yvan had to confirm a suspicion, “I

preschool by Yvan that afternoon. As soon as he got into the car, he let out a sigh and said. “Mr. Boyd, you don’t have to keep me cooped up. I won’t run off. At

me.”

he nearly drove into

of insolent talk was this from the kid?

regard for his own father?

this really his own

for the DNA test confirming their

child.