A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 279

"There's nothing to say."

The man strode forward, each step closing the distance between them until their breaths intermingled. Her ragged breathing brought a pleased smile to his lips. Matilda was still the same Matilda he knew – the sight of him still sent shivers of fear down her spine. Fear, he thought, was always better than hate.

"Why do you always think of running when you see me?" Yvan asked.

Matilda remained silent, her body trembling slightly. "Because I can't fake being at peace with you!"

Suppressing the sting in his chest, Yvan grinned fearlessly and grasped her chin firmly. Matilda's struggle was more intense than before, as if one more move from him would earn him a slap across the face.

"Don't touch me!" she growled. "I'm not here for you; I'm here for Declan!"

"You'd do better to beg me than him."

Yvan narrowed his eyes, the smile on his face chilling. "I know you're here about Declan pulling his investment. Turns out I've got business with him too. You might as well beg me to invest in your project. It'll be far more effective than begging Declan…"

Matilda said nothing, clenching her teeth so hard her eyes turned bloodshot.

"Beg you? I'd rather die!"

Matilda raised her voice, but the office was soundproof; not a whisper could escape its confines.

Yvan's heart ached. Matilda, are you really that afraid of me, even more than death itself? Do you think that when you lash out at me with your words, it doesn't hurt me?

These past few days, Yvan had wondered where it all went wrong. Why should he suffer alone for Matilda while she cozied up to other men? He had an epiphany – he had been too soft. But Matilda didn't deserve his tenderness!

Matilda wanted to escape. She felt coming to Declan was a mistake, initially thinking this was just a game Chloe liked, one that Declan wouldn't interfere with. But no, Declan wanted to destroy everything Chloe loved, piece by piece! He was tormenting Chloe in a twisted way, telling her that if she didn't want to see her beloved things destroyed, she'd better rise from her grave and come back to him!

And where did Yvan fit into this? He and Declan had struck a deal – Declan's pressure on Chloe would drive Matilda right into Yvan's arms. If she couldn't sway Declan, she had no choice but to turn to Yvan. No one else would dare take over Declan's affairs. The two men had apparently decided to corner both her and Chloe.

Matilda stared at Yvan, murmuring, "Yvan, you're truly cruel."

And Yvan remembered – Matilda had once come to him for her son's sake, and when Yvan had offered five million for a deal, back in those early days, she had whispered with a lifeless gaze—

"You're truly cruel… Yvan."