Chapter 44: Make Russell Apologize to Una
By common sense, someone like Howard–with his huge body, wide shoulders, and scary “don’t mess with me” look–was exactly the kind of guy Una should’ve avoided. But for Tilda, Una was willing to risk it all.
“Sorry, Tilda. Dad really lost it earlier, but please understand. He was just too worried about Wade.”
Tilda stared at Howard as if she’d seen a ghost. Even Una’s face showed pure shock.
Howard?
The same Howard who used to explode like a volcano, who once called Tilda a thief, who had no problem shaming her in front of strangers and tearing her down in public… Today, he’s apologizing to Tilda? And so calmly, without a single trace of that usual fiery temper?
It’s as if he’d been replaced by someone else. He doesn’t even seem like the Howard I remember.
“I know you’re shocked. That day, I lost control. I blamed you for something you didn’t do. And yeah–I do feel guilty about it. My temper’s bad, sure, but I’m not blind or brain-dead.”
Howard’s jaw tightened. The way Tilda was staring at him–it was as if she thought he was some dumb muscle-head, running only on anger, punching first and thinking never. But that wasn’t true. If Howard was really that kind of idiot, how could he have graduated early from the sports academy, smashed every record in history, and built a name for himself on the brutal world stage of WWE?
No, he wasn’t stupid. He’d just snapped back then because it was about Kyla–the sister he adored, his fragile little princess. That was the only reason.
“Heh…”
Tilda let out a sharp, mocking laugh. Not blind or brain-dead? That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. To Tilda, every single Jenson was rotten past saving. Calling them blind and brain-dead was being nice. Their hearts were poisoned, eaten up by something dark. How else could they treat their real little sister with such cruelty? How else could they toss her aside, while drowning Kyla–the pampered, precious, foster daughter–in endless love and protection?
Their choice came with a cost. And that cost was her–her body, her spirit, her dignity. They humiliated her, broke her, pushed her into depression, drove her again and again to the edge of hurting herself, even ending it all.
“I get it, you don’t like me, Tilda. But I don’t live for your approval. I apologized because it’s the right thing to do, not because I need your forgiveness. I won’t disgrace the honor I’ve worked for, or betray the teammates who trust me. Wrong is wrong, and I’ll admit it.”
Howard’s eyes flicked to Una’s foot, where the burn still showed. “Una, on behalf of my father, I apologize to you. As for payback, just name your price. We can settle this privately.”
Howard truly thought this was the best way to calm both Una and Tilda. It was impossible for Russell to apologize. Russell–the mighty, untouchable chairman of Jenson Group–was like a raging bull when angry. Once he snapped, nothing on earth could pull him back. Not even his seven sons. Not even Kyla. Only Blair sometimes managed. The rest of them had all learned: When Russell exploded, you stepped aside.
Because he wasn’t just a dad–he was their ruler, their ceiling, their cage. He valued the Jenson name above everything. He’d survived storms others couldn’t dream of, rarely ever losing control.
But this time? Seeing his youngest son unconscious, feeling family safety on the line, hatred for Tilda boiling over–that had pushed him past reason. So the answer, as always, was simple: money. As long as the cash was enough, problems like this could be wiped away.
Una hesitated, lips parting. She hated Howard, wanted to run far, far away from him. But still, she wanted this whole mess over. She wanted peace. Most of all, she didn’t want Tilda dragged into the Jensons‘ fire again. She didn’t want her best friend hurt anymore. She was already deeply moved that Tilda had stood up for her, demanding Russell’s apology directly. That alone was enough.
Still…
“Settle? No way! Howard, who do you think you are? Your apology means nothing! Tell Russell to come apologize to Una himself, or I’ll never forgive any of you!”
Tilda’s rejection was fast, sharp, and final.
“What? Tilda, I get that you’re mad, but enough is enough! You know that getting Dad to apologize is impossible! You know his temper! He’s the chairman of Jenson Group, stubborn as a mule, and once his mind’s made up, nothing changes it!”
Howard hadn’t expected Tilda to be this stubborn. Even though he felt guilty, anger burned hot in his chest.
“Then watch closely, because I will make Russell apologize to Una! Just because you don’t have the power doesn’t mean I don’t. Una, let’s go!”
Russell’s tantrum had already killed the mood. Tilda didn’t care about finishing her food. She grabbed Una’s hand and stormed out of the cafeteria.
“Tilda, you’ll regret this! You really think you can go against Dad and walk away unharmed?”