A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 436

In the photo, there he was, laughing as he playfully hoisted Matilda into the air, surrounded by a group of beaming international friends. It seemed they were gathered for a feast, and even Logan managed to squeeze into a spot in the corner, pulling a face.

They were reveling in wild celebration, their laughter bright and eyes filled with sheer joy. Yvan found himself staring at the photos, lost in thought.

Matilda seemed so happy with Criss. Was there really any point in trying to reach out to her again?

Curiously, Yvan scrolled through the comments below. Criss had a decent following online, so it didn't take long for the likes and comments from adoring fans to pile up.

Yvan read through the English comments, all curious about the woman in the picture.

"Is this lady Mr. Criss's girlfriend?"

"Super hot, blessings to Mr. Criss."

"Wow, Mr. Criss finally remembered to update his Insta. Have a great night."

"Is it just me, or is there a really cute guy in the corner! Did anyone else notice?"

"Replying to the above, I noticed too!"

Yvan zoomed in on Logan in the corner. His son, now appearing in another man’s photo, was being complimented and even mistaken as Criss's undisclosed son.

Jealousy clawed at his heart.

Standing before the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the city, a wave of desolation washed over him.

...

A few days later, at a business summit, Yvan arrived dressed in a sleek black suit. The host, spotting Yvan, was visibly thrilled, rushing over to shake his hand vigorously. "Oh my God, you actually came. What an honor..."

"Yes, who’s the woman with him?"

"No idea, she's never been seen with him before, but I saw her on his Insta."

"What’s their relationship?"

Yvan looked up sharply, only to see Matilda, in a stunning white dress, arm in arm with Criss, smiling graciously at the media cameras, her demeanor poised and elegant.

It was as if time stood still, the world spinning backward around Yvan, taking him back to a press conference long ago. Matilda, clinging to the man beside her, her gaze void of anyone but him, her lips a vibrant red and her eyes captivating - the epitome of a perfect companion.

She had been seen with countless men, yet never once by his side.

At that moment, Yvan found himself standing up involuntarily, just as Matilda looked up. Their eyes met across the bustling crowd, locking in a momentary vortex - he, stunned; she, shocked. A millennia passed in a single glance.