Chapter 520 Did She Come Out?

No…

If there really was someone who could make them do that…

It would only be Tilda! The one the Jensons feel most guilty toward. The true daughter of the family.

However, Kyla quickly shook off that thought. Even if they did feel guilty toward Tilda, there’s no way they’d do that, right? It had to be her imagination—just an illusion! Tilda could not possibly have that kind of influence over the Jensons. If she really did, then where would Kyla still fit in this family?

Her face darkened. She kept her head down, fiddling with her skirt hem. Unintentionally, she let Blair see her looking so pained and pitiful. She was hoping Blair would take her side and defend her.

Blair sensed the heavy air and frowned slightly. “Why is no one talking?”

Before she could finish, Darell suddenly said in surprise, “Kyla, what’s wrong with your face?”

The words made everyone look at her at once.

Kyla froze, then quickly reacted. “I–I don’t know. Darell, what’s wrong with my face?”

“You’re so young, but you’re wearing such heavy makeup. That’s not good for your skin. And you’ve been breaking out a lot lately, you should cut down on greasy food. Also, your hair looks thinner than before. Stop staying up so late and take better care of yourself, okay?”

Darell sounded caring, but every sentence hit her like an arrow straight through her most fragile insecurities.

“I… I’m not…”

“Kyla, are you alright?”

Blair, prompted by Darell’s words, took a closer look. What she saw startled her. Even with the thick makeup, she could still see traces of acne. And worse, there was a bald patch in the middle of Kyla’s long hair. For it to be visible even with long hair, her hair loss must have already been serious.

“Mom, I’m fine. Maybe I’ve just been stressed and not resting well lately. Sorry for worrying you.”

Kyla wanted to crawl into a hole. She lowered her head, making an excuse, and stayed quiet.

“It’s fine, just rest more and see a doctor if needed.”

As a woman, Blair understood well that, at Kyla’s age, appearance and figure mattered most. Comforting her too much would just rub salt into her wounds. So Blair kept it brief. That was the kinder choice.

And just like that, the moment passed.

Dominic and the others secretly gave Darell a thumbs-up. Good thing he was sharp enough to deflect. Otherwise, if they had to swallow their pride and apologize to Kyla, they would probably cough up blood from anger.

After breakfast, Russell called Dominic alone into the study. His face was grave. “I didn’t ask just now since everyone was around and I didn’t want your mom to worry. But tell me the truth, what’s with those photos?”

Dominic lowered his head, biting his lip. “It’s just like you guessed, Dad. They’re real. We have nothing to say.”

“Gosh!”

Russell let out a heavy breath. “I know you feel guilty toward Tilda after learning the truth, but did it have to come to this?”

Dominic gave a bitter smile. “Dad, we didn’t know how else to deal with the disappointment in ourselves, or the guilt we feel toward Tilda. This was the only way.”

“I’ve already told people to clean up the mess. Don’t do something so foolish again. Doing all of that would not make Tilda forgive the Jensons. We hurt her too deeply. It’ll only widen the rift between her and us. At this point, I don’t even know what to do about her anymore.”

He stood in front of the tall window, hands clasped behind his back. Outside, the sky was perfectly clear. The sun was bright, the horizon blue, and even a plane left a silver streak cutting across the clouds. It was the last day of the old year, and the start of the new one. The kind of day that should have felt hopeful.

However, none of that warmth reached Russell’s battered, frozen heart.

“I understand, Dad.”

“Good. You’ve been in the rain for so long, go rest and drink some medicine. Don’t let it turn into a bad cold.”

“Okay.”

Dominic answered softly and turned to leave.

Then, Russell’s voice came again.

“Did she notice you outside of her apartment? Did she come out?”

Even as he asked, he did not know what he was hoping for. Maybe, just maybe, if she came out, it would mean she still had a little space in her heart for the Jensons.