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?”

a sea of confusion. “It’s impossible. Declan won’t let me go…”

tough times,” Matilda said, looking into her friend’s face, “and

we wrap up

city that harbors the men

a whiz at admin, and I’ve got the design chops. We’ll never go hungry, wherever we go. No need to suffer over Declan

really last

동요 ᄒ

“Feelings are the most fickle things on earth. If you keep your heart in check, it won’t hurt.”

suffer… Just like I hope you

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10-21

the unattainable.”

suffer endlessly, craving what he can

Declan will regret his actions eventually, just like Yvan

each other’s company. Chloe’s eyelashes trembled as she spoke with

misery and insignificance, penniless and

moment, a fearsome hatred flickered in Chloe’s eyes.