A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 457

Matilda stood shivering in the cold night air in front of a tombstone, her sobs echoing in the quiet of the graveyard like the heartbroken cries of a wounded animal.

She had a brother too, once. A brother who had doted on her from the moment she was born, who had defied everyone to protect her when she was incarcerated, who had even ventured into the dangerous underbelly of the city to sell a kidney just so she could safely give birth.

She had known such love, such devotion. She had no right to envy anyone.

Cyprian froze for a moment before cautiously approaching Matilda. Perhaps it was seeing the closeness he shared with Luna that had triggered this flood of grief, driving her to visit her late brother's grave in the dead of night.

"Take heart," was all Cyprian managed to say, then glanced at the tombstone, "You must visit your brother often, huh?"

Matilda hesitated. Truth be told, she rarely came; the fear of crumbling under the weight of her grief kept her away.

"No, it's been a while," she admitted.

Cyprian looked puzzled, "But... this grave looks well-tended. Someone must have been here recently."

Matilda's heart skipped a beat at his observation. Fresh candle wax on Gideon's tombstone? Someone had been here, honoring her brother without her knowledge.

Who would do such a thing behind her back?

Gathering her composure, Matilda stood up, pressing down her swirling thoughts. She turned to Cyprian, her expression tense, "Mr. Layton, please, let's keep my visit here between us, okay?"

"Sure thing," Cyprian easily understood, then asked, "Ready to head back? How are you feeling?"