A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chapter 210

No one knew about the tragedy that had unfolded, except for Matilda. She was the sole keeper of that grim secret.

The day Chloe left was like any other she got dressed in her crisp work attire, slipped into her pumps, and headed to the office. When the workday ended, she quietly handed in her resignation letter while no one was looking, tying up all her foose ends before she vanished without a backward glance.

Matilda had wept for her. Back when Chloe was crumpled on the floor, her blood painting a stark contrast against the white tiles, she had clutched Matilda’s hand, her wrist still bleeding profusely.

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“Matilda,” she had whispered, “don’t let Declan touch me. Don’t let him find me.”

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down her face, Matilda promised, and from that moment

as though nothing had happened. She went to work, shared laughs and banter with her quirky colleagues, brainstormed new fashion lines in meetings, and kept Chloe’s secret locked away. Nobody in the marketing department knew that their bright and bubbly

was a week later when Declan realized Chloe had gone radio silent. After their last encounter, he had callously tossed her aside like yesterday’s newspaper, not even bothering to help her get dressed. He didn’t spare a thought for the pain she must have

to him, not a single WhatsApp message or a playful “Mr. Yeager” like she used to. She had once been ever–present, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, all to earn a few extra bucks from

swatted away, always

was well aware that many men coveted her, and he took pleasure in knowing she obeyed only him. Every command he gave,

but she was his pet.

that the woman who seemed so resilient, who never complained of pain, might one day admit

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admission would

Declan stubbed out his cigarette and glanced at his phone. Chloe’s chat was silent; her Facebook untouched

reach out first. So, with cold finality, he deleted Chloe’s contact, expecting her to come crawling back,