A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 563

\"I can't keep trapping her in this marriage.\" Mentioning Matilda, a flash of emotion darted through Yvan's eyes, a thorn deeply embedded in his heart, bleeding and muddled at the slightest touch.

\"Even if she could forgive me, I don't have the courage to be with her again.\" Yvan lowered his gaze to the girl he had believed to be his own, \"Lynn, you have to understand, sometimes the most useless thing in this world is emotion. It comes from nowhere, defying all logic. But in this harsh reality, there are too many gaps that can't be bridged by feelings alone.\"

Yvan paused, \"All I can do is repay my debts, without expecting anything from her. Even if she were to respond, I wouldn't deserve it.\"

It became clear to Yvan that he could no longer drag Matilda down into his abyss.

Lynn frowned, seemingly pained by Yvan's words, \"Dad, it must be hard, living like this all alone, right? You're keeping mom around, not wanting to make a clean break because... because you feel guilty about that accident, the one that left her with a broken leg, right? That's tied to you, isn't it?\"

Yvan's silence was an admission.

\"You chose to bear all the responsibility alone, to protect her, right?\"

\"No, you've got that wrong.\"

Yvan chuckled softly, \"I did it to protect... myself.\"

He didn't want Matilda to see how low he could stoop, nor did he want to soften her heart towards him. He didn't feel aggrieved; it was just a matter of settling debts, no need for added melodrama.

That was Yvan, proud and dignified, even if he was silently doing so much for Matilda.

He tolerated Rachel, but there was a limit to his patience and pity. Once that was exhausted, Rachel would mean nothing to him.

Lynn let out a mature sigh, lifting her light-colored eyes to her father, \"Thank you for telling me all this. I know mom has done a lot of wrong, but, dad... I don't want you to be trapped by these things. I hope you can find your freedom too.\"

Clearly, Rachel was deceiving her own child!

...

In the afternoon, Declan dropped by to see Yvan, so familiar with the place he didn't bother announcing himself. Upon entering the office and spotting little Lynn, he stared at her face for a long while, then looked up at Yvan and said, \"Are you freaking raising Adrian's daughter for him?\"

!!!

With just one sentence, a storm was unleashed!

Yvan stood up, slamming his hands on the desk, and demanded, \"What did you just say?\"