A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Matilda was blissfully unaware of the many eyes that had followed her as she made her way back to Chloe’s private booth. No sooner had she taken her seat than a waiter approached with a deference that bordered on reverence.

“Miss, our young master would like to invite you over for a drink at his table,” the waiter said with a polite bow.

Where in the world did this ‘young master‘ spring from?

Chloe leaned in close and whispered, “Did you piss someone off?”

Matilda shook her head, bemused. “Ever heard of bad luck in love following a woman fresh out of jail?”

Chloe’s laughter was laden with a sultry charm. “Sure have. Yvan’s a classic case, isn’t he?”

Matilda couldn’t help but chuckle, even as she feigned annoyance. “Mention him one more time, and you’re dead meat!”

“Whoa, easy there!” Chloe raised her hands in mock surrender. “Look, just go check it out. If anything feels off, text me, and I’ll swoop in to the rescue. For all you know, this ‘young master‘ might be your Prince Charming. Give him a chance to impress you.”

Matilda gazed at Chloe’s stunning visage, clicking her tongue in mock disapproval. “You’re always playing the game, aren’t you?”

“That’s stating the obvious,” Chloe retorted with a smirk, nudging Matilda gently. “Off you go, don’t keep the man waiting. I’m rooting for you!”

Led by the waiter to the reserved area, Matilda’s face fell the instant she laid eyes on the two men seated there. She turned to leave, only to find herself caught by Bennett, who had risen to his feet and grasped her wrist.

So delicate… that was Bennett’s first thought.

It had only been a few days, but Matilda seemed… even more beautiful.

With a forced smile, Matilda allowed Bennett to pull her into the booth, only to be greeted by Yvan’s similarly strained grin. She greeted him coolly, “Good evening, Mr. Boyd.”

“Good evening,” he replied, his eyes scrutinizing her with an unfathomable depth.

Without hesitation, Matilda grabbed a shot glass, clinked it against Bennett and Yvan’s drinks, and said with a smile that was a touch too perfect, “Since you’ve invited me for a drink, I’ll have this one and be on my way. Enjoy your evening.”

With that, she downed the shot in one fluid motion, her lips glistening in the bar’s colorful lights. Bennett swallowed hard, the sight unexpectedly stirring him. “Won’t you stay and hang out with

us for a bit?”

“Mr. Fuller…” Matilda turned, her eyes catching the kaleidoscope of club lights, giving them an almost ethereal glow. “We’re divorced, after all. Sitting here together is… awkward.”

Awkward? She thought this was awkward?

Yvan’s laugh held a trace of anger. “Matilda, since when did you start caring about propriety?”

His words implied she had lacked it before?

Matilda brushed back her hair with a nonchalance that belied her inner turmoil. “Exactly. I’ve foolishly clung to you without shame in the past. Isn’t it better to cut my losses now?”

Despite her cool facade, a sharp pain throbbed in her heart, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly. She was clearly pushing through the hurt.

“Yvan, why does it still hurt so much to see you? I keep telling myself to remain calm, so why…. do I always lose?” She thought.

A self–deprecating smile flickered across Matilda’s face, her previous defiance fading, only to be interrupted by another voice. This time, it was Willow.

Approaching with a deep, penetrating gaze, Willow looked at Matilda, then let out a soft chuckle before glancing at Evie, who was standing next to Yvan.

The tension between the two women peaked at that moment.

Without a word, Willow’s gaze lingered on Matilda before she turned to leave, her exit suggesting she was done with the bar scene for the night.

Matilda remained silent, watching Willow’s departure.

Yvan made no move to stop her but instead turned to Matilda. “Sit down.”All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.