Out of the Shadows: Tilda’s Brilliant Second Life

Chapter 509: The Harsh Truth

Nobody knows what Tilda was thinking when she walked away from the Jensons and cut ties completely.

She must have been completely disappointed, heartbroken to take such an extreme step.

Even after she left, the family kept talking badly about her, calling her ungrateful and selfish.

Russell couldn’t even remember how many times he’d gone after Tilda for no real reason.

Just thinking about the way Tilda looked at every one of them–with cold, judging eyes–made Russell’s heart ache.

But he had to hide it, especially around Blair. He couldn’t let her see how much it hurt, or she would worry.

Since he learned the truth, he felt more worn out than ever.

At home, it wasn’t just dealing with clueless Blair. He also had to handle Kyla, who acted all sweet and innocent, like the perfect daughter.

Russell lost track of how many times he had almost snapped, wanting to confront Kyla.

Why did she do all those things?

How could she pretend to be innocent after everything she had done?

And what else had Kyla done in secret to hurt Tilda and the family?

It wasn’t just Russell who thought this.

Darell and the others probably felt the same way.

After Russell finished talking, the atmosphere in the study grew tense.

The silence felt heavy, like it was hard to breathe.

Dominic and the others didn’t see this coming.

They had grown up with Kyla, treated her like their sister, spoiled her, and protected her.

They even did terrible things to Tilda for Kyla’s sake–ignoring her presence in the family, acting like she wasn’t one of them, giving her the cold shoulder, humiliating her with words.

All because they trusted Kyla.

They believed in the bond they shared growing up. They thought they knew Kyla was a kind and innocent girl.

But Tilda, who had been missing for 19 years and was only just found, felt like a stranger.

Even though they were real siblings, the 19–year gap made it impossible to feel that connection.

The Jensons had always thought Tilda was nothing compared to Kyla.

But now, seeing the harsh truth, all their illusions were shattered.

Kyla turned out to be a person they didn’t expect.

And because of her, they had treated Tilda so terribly!

Just thinking about it felt like invisible slaps, hitting them hard in the face.

Slaps so strong they left them bloody, nearly broken, but never stopping.

It was like an invisible hand was squeezing their hearts, almost ready to burst.

It hurt.

It hurt so much that it felt worse than dying.

Santiago, who felt the least guilty, wanted to say something.

But the heavy, tense atmosphere made him feel like he couldn’t breathe.

He needed a way to release all this tension.

Thud!

Suddenly, Wade’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the floor.

“Wade!”

Everyone panicked and rushed to him.

“Wade, are you okay?”

Howard, who was closest, quickly tried to help Wade stand.

He saw Wade completely drained, his lips shaking nonstop.

“Wade …”

Seeing Wade like that, Russell remembered something.

Back then, no one else was at Jenson Villa.

When Kyla framed Tilda, Wade had been the only son there.

Russell knew a little about what Wade had done to Tilda that day.

But as for what he didn’t know…

According to Tilda’s accusations, Wade had done many cruel things to her.

And the reason he acted that way was all because of Kyla!

“Why … why did it turn out like this?

“Back then, I said many terrible things to Tilda for Kyla. I told her to die, called her worthless, made her beg for Kyla …

“And now I find out the truth wasn’t like that at all. Just like Tilda said, she was framed. I knew nothing. I just let my anger control me.

“I thought Tilda was the bad one. I hated her so much, but the real problem was Kyla.”

Wade had never felt this broken before.

He had already started keeping away from Kyla because of his guilt toward Tilda.

Wade felt stuck and miserable.

On one hand, it was his own fault that his relationship with Tilda had fallen apart. He couldn’t blame anyone else.

On the other hand, it didn’t feel right to blame Kyla for his mistakes, to push her away. That wouldn’t be right.

But if he didn’t, he could never be the kind and caring brother he used to be around her.

Damn it!

Wade had been caught in these thoughts for so many days!

He even went all the way to Endralsia to help his brothers, partly because he wanted to avoid facing Kyla and Tilda.

Until today, Russell told them everything.

Hearing it from Russell, he finally saw what Kyla was really like!

After everything he had done to Tilda, how could he ever face Kyla? And how could he face Tilda?