A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 553

The little girl's face was a mask of fear and trepidation, terrified that Matilda might lose her grip again, and even more terrified of becoming the target of this frail yet emotionally intense woman's wrath.

But Matilda just smiled at her, "How long have you been waiting here?"

Shivering, the little girl whispered, "Three hours..."

Matilda couldn't muster much care for Lynn; reason told her that children were innocent in the feuds of adults. Yet, seeing Lynn always stirred a tempest within her.

"Why are you here? Didn't you go looking for your mom?"

"My mommy doesn't need me..." Lynn stayed in her corner, her gaze filled with longing but also fear. Logan never looked like that, because he was dearly loved by Matilda.

Yvan glanced back and coldly said to Lynn, "Come here."

Thinking Yvan was about to punish her, tears sprang to Lynn's eyes, "Daddy, please... I'm sorry, I know I did wrong, I..."

She hadn't actually done anything wrong, but apologizing had become her defense mechanism to protect herself from harm.

Matilda's fingers tightened slightly; she knew that sympathizing with Rachel's daughter was in vain, but Lynn's expression still got to her.

After all, she was a mother herself. A child this scared would surely be scarred for life.

Yvan repeated, "Come here."

Trembling, Lynn approached, "Daddy, please don't hit me... I won't appear in front of that lady again..."

She was terrified she had misspoken again, "I'm sorry" became her only redemption. Yvan couldn't fathom what Rachel had instilled in Lynn to make her this way.

Matilda took a deep breath, trying to make her expression less cold, "Your dad didn't want to hit you. He called you over to eat with us, right?"

Yvan was taken aback, then quickly picked up Matilda's lead, "Right, come eat with Matilda and me."

"Thank you, Matilda, you're such a good person." Lynn, ever so grateful to those who showed her kindness, looked at Matilda through tearful eyes, "Can I call you Matilda?"

Matilda felt a sharp pang in her heart, "You can call me whatever you want."

"Are you Logan's mom?" Lynn eagerly served Matilda a bowl of soup as a token of her gratitude, while Yvan watched, his heart aching. Though not his own, Lynn... was just too pitiful.