A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 398

A piece of steel, devoid of life, unresponsive to the world around it.

Once, she was a tempest of emotions, even in her hatred. But now, she's more like a frightened child, hiding, desperate to disappear from this world completely.

No one connects her to this world anymore. Not even herself.

...

After giving Matilda a sleeping pill and watching her drift off, Yvan entered Keaton's office. Keaton, overwhelmed as usual, was puffing on a cigarette. He exhaled a cloud of smoke before saying, "We've got a real mess on our hands."

"How's she doing compared to her last bout of amnesia?"

Yvan was anxious, but Keaton's response sent a chill through him.

"It's worse, much worse," Keaton admitted.

Human hearts are fragile. Exposed to enough pain, they break. And when that pain reaches a breaking point, the mind can shatter.

A breakdown can manifest in many ways: disowning loved ones, sinking into depression, even attempts to end one's life. In Matilda's case, it's led to amnesia. Her brain, rocked by turmoil, refuses to recall the past.

She's in such a state now, fallen into a chasm, refusing any attempt at rescue.

"You know why depressed people are considered dangerous?"

Keaton pointed to his chest. "Because their mental processes aren't functioning normally, because their hearts are sick. They're disconnected from the world, separated by an invisible, yet insurmountable barrier. They can't convey their feelings, trapped in endless sorrow."

Just hearing this made Yvan's heart ache.

"At that point, life and death cease to matter. For most, life is filled with countless reasons to keep going, to strive. But for someone in Matilda's condition, it's terrifying. She has no reason to continue, no connection to the world."

"Then..." Keaton saw the slow-motion collapse of Yvan's world in his eyes, a reluctant witness to his despair, and softly added, "She's in a state where death could come at any moment."