Chapter 47: If Only Things Hadnโt Gone So Wrong
Wadeโs memories slowly came back, piece by piece. He let out a bitter little laugh, almost mocking himself.
โWade, I was so, so scared for youโโ Kylaโs voice cracked, and she started sobbing. โI thought something awful would happen to you. Please donโt ever do this again, donโt ever scare me like that, okay?โ
Her tears poured like rivers, her lips trembling as she squeezed Wadeโs hand tight, biting her lower lip. She looked so pitiful, so fragileโit was the kind of sight that could break anyoneโs heart.
โIโm sorry, Kyla. I wonโt do it again.โ
Seeing his little sister worry about him like that, Wade forced a smile, but his eyes slid away, hiding what he couldnโt say out loud.
Because now, whenever he looked at Kyla, he couldnโt stop thinking of Tilda.
Tildaโbeaten by his own hands, broken, bleeding inside and out.
Her tears, her loneliness, her hopeless face.
He realized how badly he had treated her back then.
He had sided with Kyla and crushed Tilda without mercy, treating her like nothing.
Now Wade finally understood: After everything, he couldnโt just ignore Tilda anymore.
He couldnโt just laugh and joke with Kyla like before, not with guilt eating away at him.
The cruelty, the torment heโd thrown on Tildaโthey were thorns stuck deep in his chest.
Even if he tried to look away, every little thing reminded him, stabbing that wound again and again.
He hated what a disgusting jerk he was, who had done unforgivable things to his own sister, who had been missing for 19 years.
Kyla frowned slightly. Something about Wade feels off, but I canโt figure out why. Maybe heโs just still weak after fainting.
โWade,โ Russell suddenly said, his tone sharp. โI know you just woke up and youโre still recovering, but tell meโwhat exactly did Tilda do to you that made you collapse?โ
If I can get solid proof against her, I swear Iโll make Tilda pay. I wanna wipe that smug grin she threw at me in the cafeteria right off her face.
Howard gave a cold snort at her name, saying nothing.
He still remembered Tildaโs mocking words in the cafeteria, the way she had rejected his so-called kindness.
The memory stung like acid, filling him with anger. Only Kyla deserves to be my real sister. Only Kyla, whoโs obedient, respectful, and never defiant. Not Tilda, who always challenges me and makes me furious. I canโt wait for Tilda to fail, to regret not grabbing the hand I once offered.
Honey Blair cut in, voice sharp as she shot Russell a glare.
โWade just woke up, and youโre already interrogating him? Whatโs the point?โ
Deep down, Blair had started leaning toward Tildaโs side.
Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was the memory of that fancy restaurant, when she had lashed out at Tilda with cruel words, not even giving her a chance to explain.
She still hadnโt apologized for it.
But if Tilda had really clashed with Wade, she knew Russell would come after her with everything he had.
Kyla bowed her head, her fingers clutching Wadeโs hand.
What she wanted most was for Wade to say itโto say Tilda had done this to him. Then Russell would explode in fury and rip Tilda apart. And that would also solve Kylaโs biggest problemโher rival. The girl who threatened her shine, who dared to take her place as the Jensonsโ only daughter. Wade has always hated Tilda and wished she were gone. Iโm sure he wonโt waste this golden chance to bury her once and for all. Especially after she had stolen his spotlight and taken away his glory. He must hate her for that.
At least, that was what Kyla thought.
But then Wade spoke, his voice calm and steady.
โDad, it wasnโt like that. Maybe Iโve just been overworking myself on my research paper. Thatโs probably why I fainted.โ
The room went silent, heavy and tense.
That wasnโt the answer anyone expected.
They all thought Wade would blame Tilda, say she had pushed him to collapse.
But insteadโฆ he blamed himself?
โThโthatโs it? Wade, are you saying you and Tilda didnโt fight at all?โ Kyla blurted out, unable to stop herself.
She couldnโt believe or accept it.
Why would Wade waste such a perfect chance to crush Tilda?
Doesnโt he hate her the most?
โI didnโt fight with Tilda, Kyla. Donโt make up stories.โ
The truth was, right now, all Wade felt toward Tilda was guilt and self-loathing. And, deep down, something else tooโrespect.
Because Wade had always admired anyone better than him. And Tilda was better.
That respect lit a fire in him, a will to keep going, to push harder, to stay strong.
If only things hadnโt gone so wrongโif we hadnโt been driven into such hatredโmaybe Tilda and I couldโve been good friends. Weโd be fellow dreamers, learning from each other and growing together.
Right then, a voice rang out, breaking the silence. โWhile you were unconscious, your dad heard this might have something to do with Tilda, so he went to find herโฆโ