A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 228

The driver glanced at Matilda in the rearview mirror when she mentioned the cemetery, and only then, somewhat reassured, did he step on the gas. She seemed like a perfectly normal young lady; probably no cause for concern...

...

At some point, a fine misty rain had started to fall, almost as if on cue for a visit to the graveyard. As they reached the outskirts of Harmony Graveyard, Matilda asked the driver to stop. "Thanks, sir. I'll take it from here."

The driver didn't insist on staying. Matilda paid him without waiting for change, stepped out of the car, and her slender silhouette vanished into the drizzle.

She navigated the paths of Harmony Graveyard with the familiarity of an old friend, quickly and accurately rounding the bends to reach a fresh gravesite.

The grave was obviously new, its stone still blank, awaiting an inscription. Beside it, only a bundle of lilies Matilda had left on her last visit remained.

"Chloe, I came to see you," she whispered, her voice barely cutting through the patter of rain, as if the slightest breeze might carry it away.

Standing in the rain, she was a lone, gaunt figure, her soul fractured. The unnamed tombstone before her seemed a sad testament to Chloe's absurd, hurried life that had vanished in an instant, leaving nothing but a blank slate behind.

"I've missed you for so long. I've decided to quit my job, to go to the city we always talked about," she spoke softly.

Crouching down, she murmured to the grave, "Did you know? After you left, Declan came looking for me, asking where I'd hidden you."

Matilda wrapped her arms around her knees. "Where could I have hidden you, Chloe? You were the one who couldn't take it anymore. You always uplifted me, and I'm sorry that when you needed me the most, I couldn't save you."

Her whispers were almost unconscious. "I saw the shock on Declan's face, and it felt good, Chloe. He finally got what he deserved..."

She forced a laugh, then stood up. "Chloe, I think you were always braver than me. I've lived in Yvan's shadow for so long, just barely surviving, but you had the courage to face death. I believe that in that moment, you really hurt Declan."

Her gaze seemed to glaze over. "There's a saying, isn't there? Men... why do they go to such lengths to acquire, only to go to even greater lengths to cause harm? Chloe, did you know? I saw Declan again, by chance. He's changed, become irritable and angry. Probably because of you. Good. He's getting his just desserts."

Matilda spoke at length, then reached out to caress the blank tombstone. "Chloe, these are my heartfelt words, but the real truth is, I wish you hadn't died. If you're still out there, somehow, please give me a sign. No matter the distance, I will come to find you."

As she finished speaking, she noticed the rain easing up and looked up to gauge the weather, only to find a shadow looming over her.

Adrian stood behind her, casually holding an umbrella with his usual irreverent smirk, his sea-green eyes blurred by the rain.

Memories flashed through the cracks in time, electric and quick, and she thought she saw the man from that last stormy night reflected in his gaze.

Matilda froze, utterly unprepared for his sudden presence.