A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 681

The moment the air was snatched from her lungs, Matilda felt a cascade of familiar sensations returning to her body. Through those eyes, she thought she saw Yvan—the Yvan of old, cloaked in an aura as perilous and profound as the night, akin to an alpha wolf under the crescent moon, ready to devour her whole.

But this man before her wasn’t that Yvan.

With a push, she signaled her discomfort, and Yvan abruptly halted his advance.

As he looked up, his eyes still clouded with a mix of confusion and lingering desire, he pecked Matilda’s cheek softly, "C’mon, show a little fire, will ya? Let me help you. I won’t hurt you."

"I can’t..." Matilda’s façade of strength and indifference shattered, "Mr. Boyd, could you... could you turn on the cold tap for me?"

He respected her choice.

Rubbing his hand through his hair, Yvan swept it back, revealing a face marked by sharp, discerning features. He sighed, getting off her, "You must be God’s way to test me. Dawn."

He called her by her pen name in his clear English accent. Matilda shook her head, biting her lip, "I’m sorry. You came rushing in to save me, and I..."

"You’ve got nothing to apologize for." Yvan returned with a mischievous smile, hopping off the bed to adjust the water, "It was wrong of me to intrude like this. You’re a good girl with principles and boundaries."

Matilda curled up, her body still tingling with the addictive touch that she couldn’t resist. She pinched her arm, trying to stay alert.

"Just relax, darling." Yvan tweaked the water temperature, then approached the bed where Matilda lay in discomfort, "This will pass. I need to carry you to the bathroom now. Would you mind?"

Tears welled up in Matilda’s eyes, overwhelmed by this unfamiliar tenderness from Yvan.

Her other hand clutched at her chest, as if grasping her heart, overwhelmed by pain, gratitude, and the ruins of memories that crushed her spirit.

"I wouldn’t... mind..."