A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 28

“You can’t just pop one every time you feel a little down, Matilda. This isn’t a common cold you’re dealing with. Plus, even a cold might take a few days of medication and rest to get over.” Gideon said, sitting beside her with a concerned frown.

Matilda pouted at her brother. “Gideon, look at me. I’m fine now, and I’m usually… fine.”

“What about when you run into Yvan again?” Gideon asked bluntly, causing Matilda’s heart to skip a beat.

The mere thought of Yvan sent her into a panic, her emotions a mess, leaving her helpless. That man had hurt her deeply, and she had fallen into a shadow from which she couldn’t

escape.

Taking a deep breath, Matilda replied, “Gideon, there are some things no medicine can cure. I have to rely on myself.”

The fear and hatred for Yvan were embedded deep within her heart. Anytime anything related to Yvan came up, she would lose her sense of reason. No medication could ever cure her. The only cure was either her or Yvan’s death.

To truly survive, she had to become stronger, to no longer be wounded by Unis man.

Matilda lifted her gaze, a startling determination in her eyes. “Gideon… I don’t want to live in Yvan’s shadow anymore. I need a fresh start, a new life. Even though I’m ill, I’ll fight to overcome my fears…

Gideon gripped her hand tightly. “It’s all my fault for not being able to protect you.”

“No, Gideon, it’s not your fault. I’m the one to blame,” Matilda said with a bitter laugh. “If I hadn’t blindly trusted him five years ago, our Thompson family wouldn’t be in this mess.”

She had paid dearly for her blind love, causing a disaster beyond forgiveness. She was a sinner beyond redemption.

it was Matilda’s turn to drop Logan off at preschool. His face beamed with pride as he entered the classroom, “Today, my mom dropped me off!”

Logan, you

mom is so pretty.”

be

“She’s my mom!”

kids surrounded Matilda, and Yvan, pouting, shooed them away, “No one’s

I really want to be your

Logan’s mom; she’s so beautiful. I’m

she gently tousled the kids‘ hair. “Yes, I’m Logan’s mom. Is Logan a bit of a handful here at

lady says so; we’ll

already our friend!”

leader! The teacher likes him

occasion for her to drop off her son, as Gideon usually handled it. If he was away

whispering, “Mommy, remember to pick me

ached at his words, but she managed a smile, “Don’t

back at her. I’ll always be with Mommy!”

“Bye, Mommy!”

the bad

Matilda left the preschool feeling reassured. Not far away, a man in a sleek black Maybach watched her leave. With sunglasses perched on

as he watched Matilda walk away.

had approached their studio to collaborate on a limited–edition ring, and