A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 158

Matilda had one of those dreams that lasted an eternity, the kind that clings to your eyelids even as you pry them open to the morning light. That morning, she awoke with a start to find the sun high in the sky, nearly noon. Gasping for breath as if to shake off the remnants of the dream world, she finally felt anchored back into reality.

She fixed her hair into a fresh style and shot quick texts to Criss and Chloe. Today felt like a new chapter–she had shed her past pains and, with them, her vulnerabilities.

She wondered if Yvan was satisfied with this outcome. After all, everything had played out exactly as he wanted, hadn’t it?

Criss responded almost immediately, suggesting they grab lunch together. Matilda dolled herself up and stepped out, a bounce in her step, to meet him at the bustling shopping center.

Half an hour later, they found each other at the grand entrance.

Criss was decked out in a sharp suit, looking every bit the part of a suave gentleman. Matilda couldn’t help but grin at the sight. “Dressed like you’re on a date, huh?”

Criss wrapped an arm around her neck with a playful swagger. “Aren’t you my biggest frenemy? Always forgetting me for the good times, but the first to call when there’s trouble.”

linked arms and strolled into the mall like besties on a spree. They flitted from one boutique

celebratory meal, don’t you think?” Criss quipped with a smile. “Let’s invite Chloe over to

about it being odd before refocusing. “Let’s just go eat, and she can cab over when she gets back to me.”

picked out a trendy bistro and led the way inside. His features drew admiring glances from

his long legs up, abandoning any pretense of the polished celebrity demeanor for

roguish glint in his eye,

a pig,” Matilda teased with a laugh. “I heard someone saying how

we

mixed–race folks are just naturally good–looking. Like that Adrian guy. He’s pretty sharp,

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Chapter 150

bring him up?” Matilda made a face. “I’ve cut ties with all of them.”