Chapter 28


    “You can’t just pop one every time you feel a little down, Matilda. This isn’t amon cold you’re


    dealing with. Plus, even a cold might take a few days of medication and rest to get over.” Gideon said,


    sitting beside her with a concerned frown.


    Matilda pouted at her brother. “Gideon, look at me. I’m fine now, and I’m usually… fine.”


    “What about when you run into Yvan again?” Gideon asked bluntly, causing Matilda’s heart to skip a


    beat.


    The mere thought of Yvan sent her into a panic, her emotions a mess, leaving her helpless. That man


    had hurt her deeply, and she had fallen into a shadow from which she couldn’t


    escape.


    Taking a deep breath, Matilda replied, “Gideon, there are some things no medicine can cure. I have to


    rely on myself.”


    The fear and hatred for Yvan were embedded deep within her heart. Anytime anything rted to Yvan


    came up, she would lose her sense of reason. No medication could ever cure her. The only cure was


    either her or Yvan’s death.


    To truly survive, she had to be stronger, to no longer be wounded by Unis man.


    Matilda lifted her gaze, a startling determination in her eyes. “Gideon… I don’t want to live in Yvan’s


    shadow anymore. I need a fresh start, a new life. Even though I’m ill, I’ll fight to ovee my fears…


    Gideon gripped her hand tightly. “It’s all my fault for not being able to protect you.”


    “No, Gideon, it’s not your fault. I’m the one to me,” Matilda said with a bitterugh. “If I hadn’t blindly


    trusted him five years ago, our Thompson family wouldn’t be in this mess.”


    She had paid dearly for her blind love, causing a disaster beyond forgiveness. She was a sinner


    beyond redemption.


    The next morning, it was Matilda’s turn to drop Logan off at preschool. His face beamed with pride as


    he entered the ssroom, “Today, my mom dropped me off!”


    “Wow, Logan, you weren’t kidding!”


    “Your mom is so pretty.”


    “Prettydy, can you be my mom too?”


    “She’s my mom!”


    A bunch of kids surrounded Matilda, and Yvan, pouting, shooed them away, “No one’s allowed to take


    her!”


    “Hmph, stingy! Prettydy, I really want to be your daughter.”


    “That’s Logan’s mom; she’s so beautiful. I’m jealous.”


    Matilda crouched down, smiling as she gently tousled the kids‘ hair. “Yes, I’m Logan’s mom. Is Logan a


    bit of a handful here at school? I hope you’ll all take good care of him, okay?”


    “The prettydy says so; we’ll definitely be friends with Logan!”


    “Logan’s already our friend!”


    “Yeah, Logan’s even the deputy ss leader! The teacher likes him a lot!”


    Seeing that Logan was doing well socially at preschool eased Matilda’s mind. It was a rare asion for


    her to drop off her son, as Gideon usually handled it. If he was away on business, Logan would go to


    school all by himself. Sometimes, she felt her child was almost too mature for his age.


    Logan reluctantly let go of Matilda’s hand, whispering, “Mommy, remember to pick me up tonight,


    okay?”


    Her heart ached at his words, but she managed a smile, “Don’t worry. M guys take you away again.”


    Logan smiled back at her. I’ll always be with Mommy!”


    “Bye, Mommy!”


    won’t let the bad


    As Logan waved goodbye, Matilda left the preschool feeling reassured. Not far away, a man in a sleek


    ck Maybach watched her leave. With sunsses perched on his nose and a devilish smirk, he


    exuded an aura of danger and allure.


    Yvan’s eyes narrowed as he watched Matilda walk away.


    Today, Matilda had a mission to aplish. An international jewelry designpany had approached


    their studio to coborate on a limited–edition ring, and she had to get back to help her brother finish


    the sketches before the deadline.


    As she drove to the studio, little did she know that the Maybach was also starting to follow her. Yvan


    slightly lowered his sunsses and whistled.


    In the back seat, a handsome man named Mason watched Yvan’s almost obsessive behavior and


    chuckled, “Stalking your ex–wife, are we?”


    “Watch your mouth,” Yvan cursed with augh. “Keep it up, and I’ll toss you out on the street.” “I’m your


    business partner, and you treat me with such cruelty.” Mason said, his smile sharp. “You’ve been quite


    interested in hertely, haven’t you?” Mason added, his tone meaningful Yvan’s long fingers rested on


    the steering wheel “What makes you say that?”


    “Well you’re following her like a crazed fan of some pop star,” Mason said, implying more than


    15:00 L


    he let on.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    “Have you finally developed feelings for your ex–wife?”


    “Feelings? Not really…” Yvan drew out his words. “Just a bunch of issuestely, and we’ve been at


    odds over the kid.”


    Mason teased, “You two have been at odds since the wedding.”


    Damn it.


    van was annoyed but amused, “Mason, one more word, and I swear I’ll leave you on the oadside.”