A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

Logan was having the time of his life at the amusement park today, a stark contrast to his usual somber demeanor that was almost heartbreaking. Now, he was all giggles and grins. carefree, as if he didn’t have a single trouble in the world.

After a day filled with thrills, the trio made their way back to the parking lot.

Matilda stood at the exit, cradling Logan in her arms as she waited for her brother to bring the car around. Her tall, slender silhouette caught the attention of a Maserati driver who honked a few times and called out, “Hey beautiful, need a lift?”

Matilda offered the driver a polite smile, but before she could respond, Logan piped up from her arms, “No need, my mom’s got a ride!”

Damn, this cheeky kid!

Chase Johnson was about to lament how such a gorgeous woman was already hitched and a mother when he caught a look at Logan’s face. His jaw dropped. He leaned out of his window, staring down the boy, “What did you just say, you little rascal?”

“This kid… he’s the spitting image of… of Yvan! No way, had Yvan left a little surprise from his wild days?” He wondered.

Chase’s gaze shifted to Matilda, and that’s when it all clicked. Five years before he’d settled in Sea City, he’d heard about a scandal. Sea City’s golden boy, Yvan, had turned his back on his own family, sending his wife to prison.

And who was his wife? None other than the pride of the Thompson family, the talented and aloof Matilda!

Lost in thought, Chase was brought back to reality by Gideon honking impatiently from behind.

look. He couldn’t be

As Chase finally snapped out of it, he gave Logan one last piercing patiently from behind.

mistaken; the resemblance was uncanny. If this kid weren’t Yvan’s, Chase would eat his hat. Quickly snapping a photo, Chase hurried off, catching a glimpse of Matilda getting into a car following his. He made a mental note of the license plate and sent off a message to his buddy with one hand.

Chase: [Yvan! Have you been sowing your wild oats out there?]

Yvan: [Are you drunk?] This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Without hesitation, Chase sent the photo of Matilda holding Logan on the sidewalk. Her lithe figure was set against the evening breeze, lifting her hair, her silhouette framed by the setting sun. She was laughing while holding the child, her features still delicate and serene, a picture of tranquility.

Within seconds, his phone rang.

Yvan’s voice boomed from the other end, “Where did you see them?”

12:04.

“Joy Valley!” Chase rattled off the license plate number, helping Yvan track it down later. “I tell ya, I was shocked! It hit me later. That kid, he’s the freaking double of you; he’s gotta be your son!”

Yvan hung up abruptly and set out to locate the car. Clutching his phone, it was hard to tell if he was excited or enraged, his expression turning dark and ominous.

“Matilda! How dare you secretly have my child!”

Five years, and he was none the wiser. He and Matilda had a child together! All this time, all he’d wanted was the child he had with Rachel, but that baby was gone… along with Rachel…

When exactly had Matilda given birth to this child?

In prison?

The thought of the prison darkened Yvan’s eyes further. Five years, Matilda had been locked away for five long years.