A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Adrian froze, seemingly entrapped by his own memories. When he managed to pull away, he looked at Matilda with an expression that was part panic, part something else he couldn’t quite place.

But he didn’t show it; he just scoffed instead. “Matilda, how many men have your sweet little lies fooled?”

Matilda remained silent for a long moment before speaking softly, “Mr. Simpson, I’ve always wondered what made you pursue me in the first place?”

To let her fall for his deceit, to let her guard down around him, only to have her thrown back into the harsh reality.

Deep down, Adrian thought that the initial attraction was all because of her striking beauty.

To Matilda, Adrian was like a dangerous, mesmerizing riddle; to Adrian, Matilda’s face was the kind that men would go bankrupt for just to win her smile.

It was a twisted kind of admiration, one that would rapidly cool off once the initial dazzle faded away. All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

Sensing Adrian’s silence, Matilda slowly smiled, “Sorry, I only have a pretty face,” implying she lacked an interesting soul.

To her, the world was as dull as she was.

Matilda felt as if her life was caught in a never–ending cycle of pain, always enduring alone. If the hardship was a trial she had to face, then she wondered, perhaps it was time for the heavens to cut her some slack?

She was tired of life’s bitter taste.

Adrian was silent for a long time before standing up. He stared intently at Matilda’s face as if he had something to say but stopped himself at the last moment. He searched for any sign of hope for life in her eyes but found none.

What he really wanted to say was that if she ever needed a man, she might consider turning to him. If she wanted a night of indulgence, he was more than willing to offer that much. As for anything more, perhaps not.

In the country he lived in, people were known for their openness, just like how he bluntly suggested a one–night stand the first time they talked. But now, he found

himself struggling to voice such a proposition.

What Matilda needed was no longer that.

The man got up, his face still wearing that nonchalant grin, feeling an intense curiosity about Matilda for the first time. But he didn’t voice it, and thus, Matildal never knew. When Adrian left, he simply closed the door gently behind him.

After a week in the hospital, Matilda was discharged. On discharge day, Chloe hugged her, crying.

Tears and snot smeared on Matilda’s clothes; her friend was a sobbing mess. “Mat,

I’m so sorry…”

Matilda pushed her playfully, “What’s this? Are you proposing to me?”

Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Yeah! How about we set up house together?”

Matilda shuddered at her best friend’s outrageous idea. “Well, I still need a man in my

life.”

“Jerk.” Chloe poked Matilda’s chest. “I’ve fallen out with Declan over you!”

Matilda was surprised, her eyes widening. “What? You quit your job?”

“Yeah, I quit.” Chloe put her hands on her hips, “You should move in with me. No need to live alone anymore. I’ve changed the locks; nothing like before will happen again. Now we’re both unemployed, ready to live off dumpster diving.”

Matilda joked back, “Well, that’s where you’re wrong. I’ve still got the five million Yvan left me.”

Chloe paused, then said seriously, “Fair point. I reckon I’d be shortchanged without ten million from Declan. I’ll go make a scene at his office tomorrow.”

Matilda was speechless.

“And demand a house and a car while I’m at it.”

Matilda just remained silent.