A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 229

Matilda certainly hadn't expected to bump into Adrian. She stared at him for a long moment, then with a cold edge to her voice, she said, "You're stalking me?"

Adrian's smile didn't waver as he raised an eyebrow playfully, "What do you think?"

The answer was obvious.

Matilda remained silent, standing there until the pitter-patter of rain grew heavier. She noticed the wet patch slowly spreading across Adrian's other shoulder.

"Stay out of my life from now on," she said.

Adrian squinted with a smirk, "What if I say no?"

Matilda replied, "If the only way for you to stop hunting me down is if I'm dead, then maybe death is the only escape from your clutches."

Adrian hissed through his teeth, then his voice dropped low, "Matilda, you've become so cold."

She fell into silence again, then turned away, stepping out from under the umbrella that Adrian had held over her head.

She'd rather be drenched by the downpour than share another moment of shelter with him.

Adrian watched her walk away and called out her name, "Matilda, just a what-if. If the events from five years ago were to be cleared up, what would you choose to do next?"

The past?

Matilda laughed—a hollow sound. Her heart had long been riddled with holes. The truth about what happened five years ago no longer mattered.

That truth was once the key to proving her innocence, something she'd desperately sought. But after reaching the depths of despair, even the so-called truth had been abandoned.

"Stop looking into it."

Adrian's face shifted with unease, standing behind Matilda, he looked up at Declan, "Is Mr. Yeager here for Matilda, or for Chloe?"

"Chloe's right here," Matilda said before Declan could speak, pointing him in a direction, "Chloe's grave is over there, Mr. Yeager. Did you come to visit her?"

Declan's body shook slightly in the drizzle, his expression turning frosty. He glanced where Matilda pointed, then scoffed, "You think you can fool me by pointing to some anonymous grave?"

"Declan, how long are you going to maintain this charade of indifference?"

Matilda shook her head in the rain, her hair sticking to her face, as she locked eyes with Declan, "Stop lying to yourself. Chloe's gone, and it's because of you."

Declan moved to step forward, but Matilda blocked his path, her words forceful and clear.

"Don't you dare cry at her grave. Don't contaminate her path to rebirth."