Chapter 420 Face Reality

That debt wasn’t something that could just disappear.

“Yeah, she lied. But the real fool is me. I couldn’t even see through Genevieve. Finished.”

“You’re sharper than me, Kayden. You warned me plenty of times, but I wouldn’t listen. I just kept thinking I finally found…”

The more Justin spoke, the heavier his guilt grew, until he couldn’t forgive himself at all. It felt like thorny vines wrapped around his chest, stabbing him over and over. No blood, but the pain was worse than anything else.

“… Justin, there’s something I’ve been hiding from you. I’m sorry.”

Kayden had no choice now. He had to explain what happened when he went to Motrar.

“My perfect pitch and gut told me Tilda’s tone and style back then matched the girl you always talked about.

“But you know how things stand between her and us. I asked, but she refused to say anything.

“I never heard the original piece, so I couldn’t be 100% sure. That’s why I doubted when you thought it was Genevieve.”

“Kayden, I’ll pull myself together. Tomorrow I’ll get my shoulder checked. I’m exhausted. Go get some rest.”

“Justin, don’t shut me out. I’m seriously worried.”

Kayden bit his lip and held onto Justin’s hand.

Justin gave a small, forced smile. “Don’t worry. You’re right. We have to deal with the truth and the future. If I keep acting like this, Tilda will just look down on me even more.”

Before, if Tilda despised him, Justin could blame it on the family feud and let it go. It didn’t bother him much.

But now? Even if the whole world thought he was worthless, he couldn’t stand her looking down on him.

Because she mattered more than anyone. She wasn’t only his younger sister. She was the girl who saved him, the one he had chased after for years. And even now, nothing had changed.

“… Got it. Finished.”

After Kayden left the room and shut the door, Russell and the others hurried over. “So? What did Justin say?”

Kayden forced a calm smile. “I treated his shoulder. He’ll go to the hospital tomorrow, so relax.”

“That’s good. You always handle things well.”

Russell and the rest finally felt like a load had been lifted.

Only Wade still looked uneasy. He knew whatever broke Justin had to do with Tilda. That wasn’t a small matter. But Wade didn’t know what was going on.

Since both Kayden and Justin kept silent, Wade couldn’t dig for answers.

The next morning, Kyla got a strange text. It came from an unknown number.

“I need your help. Do it, and you can name your price.”

Last night, Kyla faked tears and pretended to cry herself to sleep in Blair’s arms. Blair had no choice but to stay with her. Kyla kept pretending to have nightmares and cried nonstop, leaving Blair feeling awful and comforting her again and again. Only when she’d had enough did she let Blair finally sleep.

By the time Kyla woke, Blair was already gone.

No matter how much she cried, Blair wouldn’t spill anything about Justin.

Kyla was certain it was Tilda again.

Damn it! Why is Tilda always around, always messing with the people closest to me? That devil! Why isn’t she gone yet? Why?!

So when Kyla saw the text, she didn’t pay it much attention. It was just a random number. Probably a scam. If she answered, she’d probably end up hacked.

Meanwhile, Genevieve was staring at her phone. Kyla still hadn’t replied.

Damn it!

Genevieve couldn’t risk calling directly. She had no idea what Kyla was truly like. Finished.

If Kyla was as straight-laced and kind as everyone said, Genevieve would be finished the second she tried anything. After all, Kyla might rat her out to the Jensons.

Genevieve checked the text she’d sent Justin, but it was like it had vanished. She knew he wasn’t going to believe her again. He knew she had lied and used him from the start.

Now she needed to leave quickly. There was no way she could handle the Jensons’ revenge.

Night fell.

Nightingale Bar, second floor, riverside seats.

“Cheers!”

Tilda clinked her glass against Una’s.

Una took a sip. Feeling the icy-blue cocktail sliding across her lips, she shivered. “Wow! This new drink looks amazing and tastes even better. I’m obsessed.”

“Yeah, no wonder it’s the hottest bar in Slosa.”