A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Chase decided not to pry further. As the elevator reached the 20th floor and the doors slid open, both of them stepped out into the hallway, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Yvan was waiting in his office for Chase, lounging in his high–backed leather chair with the air of a king in his court.

When Chase walked in with someone trailing behind, Yvan couldn’t resist a jibe.

“Hell, Chase, since when do you bring a date to a business meeting?” But his smirk faded the moment he caught sight of the person behind Chase. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“The Thompson family has invested in the Boyd Group. Why can’t I be here?” came Matilda’s retort.

Matilda’s shoulders trembled, but she fought to keep her composure, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she locked gazes with Yvan.

The man was sinfully handsome, with features so chiseled and striking that he would stand out in any crowd, let alone the entertainment industry, where he’d be a rarity. To the average Jane, he was nothing short of extraordinary.

e was one of Countless women in the city dreamed of sharing his bed. Matilda once thought she the lucky ones, having been his wife–at least until she realized that was her most sorrowful chapter. To hold onto a man who would never truly be hers was a kind of pain she hadn’t known before.

Sensing the tension, Chase quickly excused himself with an awkward chuckle. “Heh… If you guys have unfinished business… I’ll just step out and…”

Before finishing his sentence, he slipped out the door, winking at the secretary outside, “Sweetheart, how about joining me for brunch? Your boss won’t need you for a while.”

The secretary giggled as she was whisked away, oblivious to the storm brewing behind the closed doors of the executive office.

Inside the office, insulated from the world by the solid wood door and the opulent decor, the atmosphere turned icy.

After a long pause, Matilda finally raised her head to confront Yvan. “Surprised to see me?”

Yvan’s eyes narrowed, his eyebrows arching provocatively. “I thought you’d never show your face here.”

“Yeah, I thought so too.” A bitter laugh escaped Matilda, beautiful yet heartbreaking. “All my life, I’ve wanted to run far from you, to never see you again. And now, here I am, looking for you. Seems I’m not as cruel as you, Yvan.” NôvelDrama.Org © content.

His response was laced with scorn. “That just proves one thing, Matilda–you’re pathetic.”

12:06

Pathetic. The word stung.

She clenched her teeth, facing Yvan with resolve. “I’m here for my son.”

“He’s my son too.”

“No, he’s mine and mine alone!” Her voice rose sharply, filled with years of pent–up emotion. “I’ve raised him for five years! From when I was in prison until now!”

Those five years had been an abyss of despair. If it weren’t for the thought of her adorable son, she might have withered away in that cell.

Logan was her life, her vulnerability–something she’d never yield, not even to Yvan.

At the sight of Matilda’s fierce determination, Yvan’s smile grew even more delighted. “But your can’t change the fact that Logan has my blood too!”

“Really…” Matilda’s laughter was tinged with tears. “You actually want to acknowledge your son now? Mr. Boyd, are you out of your mind? Didn’t you despise me with a vengeance back then? Didn’t you want only Rachel to bear your children? What now, you want to take away the son of a convict?”