A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 274

Adrian never imagined that Matilda would actually slap him, so he didn't dodge and took it full on the cheek. After the slap, he surprisingly let out a chuckle, his laughter tinged with disbelief reaching Matilda's ears. "You've slapped me and you've cried, yet you still won't tell me what's wrong?"

What was wrong? She couldn't even begin to say.

The shameful words choked her, every bit of anguish she swallowed down like chewing glass and swallowing blood.

Seeing Matilda's state, Adrian fell silent for a long moment before he sighed, "Matilda, why do you always have to be so damn stubborn?"

Matilda didn't reply, her eyes still rimmed red. Adrian reached out to tilt her chin up, and she shivered violently like she'd been electrocuted.

"I'm sorry."

Her voice was hoarse as she quickly apologized, not giving Adrian a chance to respond. He blocked her way, his tall frame overshadowing her, "Hey, hey, it doesn't have to be like this."

Matilda's voice was cold. "Move."

"I'm just trying to help, Matilda..." Adrian felt a profound sense of helplessness at her resistance.

Once, she had believed in him, been grateful for his kindness.

But that goodwill had been shattered by his own hands, on that stormy night when he trampled her dignity into the mud. From that moment, Matilda had blacklisted him in her heart.

A pang hit Adrian in the chest, and he retorted without thinking, "Did Yvan give you trouble?"

The mention of Yvan seemed to strike a raw nerve in Matilda. Wiping her tears, she pushed past Adrian, who caught her in a reflexive embrace, causing her to panic, "Let me go!"

Damn, Adrian thought, his usually charming face seemed to have lost all its power now.

Matilda simply didn't care about him.

As Adrian was about to forcefully carry her to his place, a cold voice cut into their altercation.

"What's going on here?"

Orson stood at the end of the hallway, clearly just off work, with little Logan in tow. Logan looked curiously at Matilda and Adrian, "Mommy, Uncle Adrian? What are you guys doing?"

The two sprang apart as if caught in a scandalous act. Adrian stepped back to stand behind Matilda.

Orson's icy gaze swept over, and Matilda felt like a child caught by a stern parent.

Logan, innocence personified, asked, "Uncle Adrian, did you just get back?"

He pointed to the suitcase beside Adrian.

Adrian forced a laugh, "Yeah, just ran into each other. What a coincidence."

"A coincidence," Orson echoed with a sneer, then turned to unlock his door. Adrian watched his cold profile and stayed silent.

Matilda was still frozen in place, blindsided by Orson's sudden entrance.

It wasn't until Orson, with that chilling smile, poked his head out to call, "What are you standing there for? Come in!"