A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

The deafening crash jolted the two people inside.

Matilda cracked a window with a swift hit, and then Criss kicked it wide open, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces. He charged in, yanking the man off Chloe with all his might.

Slipping off her own jacket, Matilda draped it over Chloe’s shoulders, her face a mask of fury as she turned on Horatio. “Are you insane? Couldn’t you see she didn’t want it?”

Horatio was a familiar face, and his reputation was known among the well–to–do youth of the city. Matilda had heard of him, seen him around, but never would have guessed that beneath the dapper exterior lay a beast capable of such vile acts.

Her heated words only drew a laugh from Horatio. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“What would you know about matters between us? You’re an outsider.”

Chloe, usually so vibrant and alive, now trembled in Matilda’s arms, her face streaked with tears, clinging to her friend. “You came… thank goodness you’re here..

Seeing Chloe, usually so fierce and proud, broken like this, Matilda’s heart ached. Why did the innocent always suffer? Why did her friend have to endure such humiliation?

“Oh, Lord, why do you let the innocent get hurt?” She yelled inwardly.

“Chloe is my best friend, and I won’t stand aside when she’s in trouble, especially when you were forcing her. What right do you have to think you’re in the right?” Matilda’s eyes blazed with a protective rage. When she had been alone and vulnerable, it was Chloe who had comforted her. Now, it was her turn to stand up for Chloe.

Horatio’s laughter faltered as he faced Matilda’s protective stance. His handsome features twisted into a scornful sneer. “Chloe, you really are something. Climbing from nothing to where you stand now. You surely know how to win hearts!”

“Shut your mouth!” Criss couldn’t stand by as Horatio insulted her, his voice thundering as he flung open the living room door. “Get out!”

Horatio, as if deaf to the command, advanced, only to be met by Matilda’s retreat, shielding Chloe. He leaned in, his suit immaculate, his gaze fixed on Chloe hiding behind Matilda. “Chloe, this place was never yours to run wild in. Don’t think for a minute you can be lawless just because you have Declan at your back. You’re not yet worthy to take on my family, the Yoakum family.”

With that, he straightened up, dusted off his suit, and, with a mocking glance at Chloe, slammed the door behind him, leaving only silence.

Once Horatio left, Chloe allowed herself a soft sob. Clutching at Matilda’s clothes, her body shook. “Mat, I’m so glad you’re here…”

Matilda sighed, and Criss brought over a mug of coffee, squatting down to comfort the crying

10:52

Chapter foo

Chloe. “Poor girl, no more tears, okay?”

Chloe forced the remaining tears back, biting her quivering lip, refusing to let herself cry

anymore.

Matilda touched her face gently, “He didn’t do anything else, did he?”

“No.” Chloe handed back the jacket. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it; we’re friends, aren’t we?” Matilda smiled, “Go change; I’ve cut ties with Yvan. so dinner’s on me tonight.”

Knowing Matilda was trying to cheer her up, Chloe managed a smile. “Alright, just let me freshen up.”

Matilda and Criss waited in the living room as Chloe took ten minutes to reappear. The fragile woman was replaced by the cool, decisive secretary to Declan, and any previous vulnerability was seemingly an illusion.

Matilda realized that maybe it was their similar strength that made her and Chloe such good friends.

Chloe called the community security to fix the window, paid them, and left with Matilda and Criss. “I’m sorry you had to see that mess,” she said.

“If something’s bothering you, you should always talk to me,” Matilda said, concern etched on her face. “What on earth was Horatio thinking?”

Chloe’s eyes were red–rimmed as she tried to smile. “I deserved it.”

Matilda didn’t press further, and they settled into a cozy booth at a buffet, waving a waiter over with a flick of her wrist.

But as they were about to order, they accidentally bumped into two men passing their table.