A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 209

On the other side, Matilda was freaking out after realizing Chloe ad vanished without a trace. She was so worried that she considered calling the cops. But after a brief visit to the station, they told her it was too soon to file a missing person’s report and advised her to just go home and wait.

Later that night, deep into the witching hour, Matilda’s phone rang with Chloe’s number.

Matilda answered in a panic, “Where the heck have you been after settling the bill? You scared the life out of me! I thought someone had snatched you!”

‘I’m downstairs. Let me in when you can.”

Chloe’s voice was hoarse, devoid of her usual bubbly demeanor. Five minutes later, Matilda opened the door to find Chloe standing there, ghostly pale.

Tears clung to her eyes. “Mat, I…”

The sight of the angry bruises marring her neck sent a jolt of pain through Matilda. Without a word, she wrapped Chloe in a tight embrace, whispering, “It’s okay. It’s all okay now. You’re safe, you’re home. I was terrified you’d become someone’s captive.”

Chloe buried her face in Matilda’s shoulder and sobbed. By this time, Logan had long since retired to his room, and Chloe’s return was so late that Matilda, too, was worn out from waiting. She guided Chloe to her room, and they huddled together under the covers, Chloe’s tears flowing ceaselessly.

“Enough now,” Matilda said with a heavy heart, “Forget about it, Chloe. Hey, how about we both head out to a new city?”

confusion. “It’s impossible. Declan won’t let me

it through the tough times,” Matilda said, looking into her friend’s face,

long time. “Once we wrap up the studio

city that harbors the men

and I’ve got the design chops. We’ll never

can feelings really last a lifetime in this world?”

동요 ᄒ

most fickle things on earth. If you keep your heart

I can’t accept this. I want Declan to suffer… Just like I hope you

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10-21

of the

endlessly, craving what he

let’s not talk about that now. Declan will regret his

the two women found comfort and warmth in each other’s company. Chloe’s

lose everything, to live in misery and insignificance,

flickered in