A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 528

Eugene chuckled, "Come on, when have we ever had a pillow fight?"

Godfrey laughed so hard he clutched his stomach, "You're full of it! Don't scare Matilda's friend!"

Matilda felt it was the most unforgettable holiday she'd ever had.

—Yvan in Whity City felt the same, albeit for different reasons.

While she basked in happiness and warmth, Yvan could only feel the chill.

Alone in his upscale suite, he opened a bottle of red wine, staring at a photo on his phone for a long while before pouring himself a modest half-glass.

The dark red liquid slipped past his lips, carrying a cold allure as if whispered from the shadows of the night.

Later, there was a knock at the door. Yvan went to answer it, finding a man with a smile on his face, carrying bags of goodies.

"What's this, drowning your sorrows alone?"

Declan chuckled, placing the takeout inside, "Man, spending the holidays in Whity City? Is Matilda here?"

Yvan nodded.

"Adrian is having a blast with his family, Mason is doing great, and don't even get me started on Keaton Chase. And here you are, at odds with your folks, spending it alone. I came all this way to keep you company. Touched yet?"

Yvan scoffed, "You're just here for Chloe, aren't you?"

"You..."

Declan paused, then laughed off Yvan's attitude, "Shameless. Well, I did drop by to see you too, so be grateful!"

"Drop the goods and you can leave."

No longer trapped in the fear of losing Matilda.

Because he had already lost her, completely. It was a clean break.

Yvan had no grand expectations anymore. All he ever wanted was that word "forgiveness" from her lips.

Declan grabbed another glass, rinsed it with hot water for sanitizing, and poured himself some wine, "Are you mocking me?"

"Just telling it like it is."

Yvan looked out at the snowy landscape, feeling an inexplicable loneliness, "Losing her taught me a lot. But the cost was too high, ending with her departure."

He couldn't bear a second loss, so he had to live in the moment.

"Declan, let me be frank. If Chloe truly loses hope in you, it's because you drove her to it. Don't make my mistakes." Yvan turned to face Declan, "You might end up even more broken than me."