A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 514

Yvan muttered a brief acknowledgment, not bothering to add anything else as he strode inside. Noel watched his son's retreating figure with a heavy sigh.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but Noel couldn't shake off the feeling that Yvan had changed. Gone was the enthusiastic boy he once knew, replaced by someone who seemed indifferent to everything around him, as if living in a bubble, untouched by the chaos of the world. Only when Matilda's name came up did a spark of life seem to ignite in Yvan, like a dormant volcano suddenly erupting. Those were the rare moments Noel felt his son was truly alive.

Upon entering the house, Yvan was inevitably subjected to a tirade from Opal, who had been fuming over his actions lately. Noel got a piece of her mind too, as she waved her chopsticks in the air, scolding them during dinner. Yvan's frown deepened visibly, a clear sign of his irritation, while Rachel tried to play peacemaker on the side.

"Yvan, don't be upset. Grandma is just set in her ways, seeing the world in black and white. She means well, you know. Don't stoop to her level," Rachel said, her words smooth as butter, making Yvan scoff, sending shivers down her spine. Midway through the meal, Yvan dropped his chopsticks with a clatter, right after Opal finished her rant.

Setting down his cutlery, Yvan's action made Opal furrow her brows, her voice sharpening, "What, you don't like being told off? Or is it because I criticized that girl, and it upset you?"

"I'm not upset," Yvan said, tidying up his plate and standing, "Grandma, if you prefer not to have me at your table, just say it. I can eat elsewhere."

Opal was momentarily speechless, her usual retorts blocked by Yvan's excuse.

Grabbing his coat, Yvan headed for the door, leaving the rest of the family with mixed expressions, torn between wanting to ask him to stay and fearing Opal's disapproval.

The atmosphere on New Year's Eve was absurdly tense, a far cry from the harmonious family gathering it was supposed to be.

Stepping into the biting cold, Yvan found his thoughts wandering to Matilda. No, it was more like an intense longing for her. Feeling lost, he impulsively drove onto the highway, accelerating toward Whitby City.

Jealousy gnawed at him, knowing Adrian had spent New Year's Eve with Matilda. But what else could he do? Even sending her gifts had to be done through Adrian, for fear she wouldn't accept them directly from him.

Yvan felt like a joke. When Matilda loved him, he pretended not to care. Now that she seemed indifferent, he was obsessed with thoughts of her.

As he floored the accelerator, his phone rang. It was his father.

"Are you really going to be at odds with your grandmother?" Noel asked, "Where are you going? Come back."

"Dad, I'm not coming back," Yvan replied, his eyes on the road, "Tell Grandma not to worry about me this Christmas. She can say whatever she wants; there's no one to argue with her now."

It seemed better this way, letting Opal rant without him around to be the target.

Yvan longed to see Matilda, even if it meant just watching her from a distance, hidden in the shadows.