Tyler raised his brows. “You really want to know?”

“Yeah, but if there’s anything you’re not comfortable saying, you don’t have to.”

Rachel respected Tyler, especially when it came to family matters. Those often came with deep childhood scars.

Tyler leaned back slightly. His fists clenched a little while he spoke. “I’m basically the one person no one likes in the family.

“You know how big families are. There can only be one at the top. Everyone wants that person to be their own kid. The problem is, no one else in the family is as capable as I am. Naturally, my relatives see me as a thorn in their side. My father used to pin all his hopes on my nephew, but that guy couldn’t handle the company at all.

“So now he wants me to take over the family business, but he refuses to acknowledge me publicly.”

Rachel’s ears perked up. She felt like she had just caught onto something important.

“He won’t publicly acknowledge you?”

For the first time, Rachel saw a complicated, almost desolate look in Tyler’s deep eyes. His lips curled into a bitter smile.

“I’m an illegitimate child.”

Rachel’s jaw dropped in shock. She quickly raised her hand to cover it, afraid she might blurt something out.

Tyler wasn’t at all surprised by her reaction, but Rachel realized she might’ve gone too far and unintentionally hurt him. She quickly lowered her hand and pretended like nothing had happened.

“Sorry, I might’ve overreacted.”

“It’s not surprising.”

Tyler’s tone was calm, like this was something he had long grown used to.

Thinking about it, Rachel realized it made sense. Tyler had grown up in an environment like that. He had probably gotten used to all the gossip and judgment thrown his way. He had probably been weathering judgmental looks and gossip for so long, he just stopped feeling it.

Rachel understood Tyler’s feelings all too well. Ever since Yvette returned, she herself had been the target of constant rumors and mockery, no matter where she went.

People gossiped, said awful things, and even blamed her for Yvette’s suffering.

They called her a bad omen, said she was born to ruin Yvette’s life, and that it should’ve been Yvette who grew up as the heiress. They claimed Rachel had enjoyed years of privilege that didn’t belong to her.

So now, she ought to spend the rest of her life paying Yvette back, working like a dog to make up for it.

Heh.

That nonsense had followed Rachel for years. Even now, people were still saying it. She had simply grown numb.

No one could understand Tyler’s feelings better than she could.

Suddenly, she reached out and hugged him.

Tyler was completely caught off guard. The man who was always so composed had a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

His whole body stiffened. A moment later, the cold edge in his gaze softened. He wrapped his arms around Rachel and rested his head gently on her shoulder.

Rachel patted his back softly, as if she were comforting a child.

“I know that all these years, no one’s ever hugged you like this. But it’s okay. You have me now. They care that you’re an illegitimate child, but I don’t. I’m my dad’s illegitimate daughter too. So, Tyler, we’re a perfect match.”

At that moment, it was as if the ice around Tyler’s heart cracked open just a little. His eyes felt strangely moist.

Rachel, sensing he hadn’t said anything for a while, thought he was still upset. She looked up to check on him, but Tyler suddenly pressed her back against him, holding her tightly. His usual composed voice trembled ever so slightly.

“Don’t move.”

Rachel froze. Her hands stopped awkwardly in the air. “What is it?”

“Rachel, are you using this as an excuse to cop a feel?”

The moment she heard his teasing tone, she wanted nothing more than to slap herself twice.

She knew this man wasn’t worthy of sympathy. She smacked him hard on the back.

“Tyler, you’re seriously impossible to like! You act like nothing bothers you, even when you’re hurting. Sometimes, I wonder if you even feel anything.”