Chapter 388: Conversation

Tobias leaned close as he spoke, and his breath warmed Kyla’s face. The heat danced across her skin like sparks from a flame. Her blood raced. Her heart pounded so hard, it felt like it might tear out of her chest. Her mind collapsed in a rush, and she melted into his arms. Her lips trembled open as her strength drained away. “Tobias…”

“That’s more like it. Then I’ll call you Kyla. Can I call you Kyla?”

“Of course.”

“Kyla, you looked broken just now. It killed me to see it. What’s happening to you? I thought your mother and Dominic were fine?”

“I…”

His worried eyes locked on her, and every wall she had left crumbled. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Tobias, I’m terrified. My whole family is drawn to Tilda now. Nobody even notices me anymore. If this keeps going on, I won’t survive in the Jensons. They’ll throw me out.”

Tilda.

Tobias’s eyes narrowed, and darkness slid across his face. He had just finished treatment when he saw his transmitter was hacked. At the same time, he found out Dominic used one too. So he listened in on the conversation. That was when the truth hit him. Tilda was the one who saved them. At the auction, he had felt something about her, and now he knew it was real. She carried power and secrets hidden deep. Fascinating.

His voice turned soft. “So what do you want to do?”

“I… I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt her, but with her around I feel like I’m losing everyone I love. Tobias, tell me what I should do.”

“If that’s the case, Kyla, then you need to rise higher. You need to outshine Tilda. Only then will the Jensons turn back to you.”

Outshine Tilda.

Kyla sank her teeth into her lip. If only it were that simple. She had once believed she stood above Tilda. Even if Tilda shared their blood, Kyla had everything she lacked. She had their love and their attention. She had the grace that came from the Jenson’s polished upbringing. Even Ryan’s family admired her without end. Preston was consumed by her completely.

But now it had vanished. Everything was ripped away because Tilda proved herself. Kyla wondered if she could ever take back what was hers.

“You’re right. Thank you, Tobias…”

Her voice faltered. She could only speak in hints. If Tobias missed that, she couldn’t speak in any clearer terms. That would be risky. If Tobias thought she was heartless, he might walk away. She could not lose a man like him. So she would find a way. Tilda had to go. The plan could not wait. She had to act while her voice still carried weight in the Jensons.

Tilda had just left Comet’s celebration. Even after the long night, she felt sharp and alive, her body still buzzing with energy. She showered, lay in bed, and replayed the moment Comet lit up the world stage for the first time. Her phone vibrated.

Jude texted, “The Hotel Morloss mess is cleaned up. Did you have a hand in it?”

Tilda answered, “Yeah… but that was settled a while ago. You’re only asking now?”

Jude replied. “I figured if you touched it, then it was handled perfectly. I believe in you.”

Tilda almost choked. Jude was ruthless. He left her no way to argue back.

Tilda texted, “Alright, stop feeding me lines. Do you need anything else? Other than praising me, of course.”

Jude typed, “Rebecca’s trial starts in two days. Care to watch it live?”

Tilda answered, “If I show up, I might get killed. You sure you want me there? Rebecca’s crash already dragged down the Bells, and I was part of it too.”

Jude typed, “My grandfather wants you to watch the trial.”

Her mind froze. Jude’s grandfather? Abram?

Tilda asked, “Does he plan to make a move on me?”

Jude answered, “Not while I’m here. He wouldn’t dare.”

His tone rang with certainty. Jude was no longer prey. Even Abram had to think twice before crossing him. And in truth, Abram wanted this rise.

Tilda said, “Oh, you’re so manly. I’m so in love with you.”

Jude texted, “I’ll take that as praise. And just so you know, the Bells were never about family love. It’s always been about profit.”