Chapter 470 Shattered Illusions
If they hadn’t investigated, they never would have known. If Tilda hadn’t reminded them, and if Russell hadn’t finally changed his view of her, he never would have dug deeper.
He once promised he would give Tilda an explanation. But in the end, what ruined the family was Russell’s arrogance, his blind favoritism, and his refusal to see the truth.
“Dad, you have to calm down. Let me take care of your hand.” Darell’s voice trembled. He was terrified his father might hurt himself again. Russell’s hand was already swollen and red, clearly from pounding too hard in a fit of rage.
“No, leave it. Only this pain keeps me from losing control. Without it, I’d already be storming upstairs to confront Kyla!” The throbbing in his hand was the only thing stopping him.
Otherwise, Russell would have rushed straight to Kyla’s room, demanding answers. Why had she hidden her true self for so many years? Why had she framed Tilda, turning them all against her? They had never mistreated Kyla. On the contrary, she had been spoiled with more love, more care, and more gifts–far more than Tilda ever received. Why wasn’t it enough? Why deceive them, manipulate them, and make them look like fools?
And still–Kyla played the victim. She cried in everyone’s arms, claiming she wanted to leave the family, pretending to make room for Tilda. Russell couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t see past her act. Those tears, those sobs, those heartbroken pleas, were they all fake? If those were lies, then how much of the time she spent with them was real?
“Dad?” Darell pressed carefully. “What happened? Why did you change so much after that phone call? Was it … about Kyla?”
Russell stayed silent for a long moment. He took the time to comb his thoughts.
Russell fought to control the fire in his chest and the crushing guilt that came with it. Finally, gritting his teeth, he told Darell everything Kyla had done.
When Darell heard it, he froze as if lightning had struck him. His whole body stiffened. His mind went blank. It took him a long time to process everything. He had always sensed Kyla was pretending. Instinct kept him from getting too close to her. But he had never imagined this. She was only eighteen. A college freshman, adored and protected all her life. Yet her heart was that cruel.
That girl actually hired a killer to take people out! Framing Tilda. Scheming to destroy her. And that was only what they had found out. How many other secrets had Kyla buried? How much more had she hidden from them?
Darell swallowed hard, his throat dry. It took him a long time to find his voice. “Dad, should we tell Mom about this?”
“Ever since Tilda saved your mom, she hasn’t been the same,” Russell said quietly. “She feels guilty about everything. It’s not just her. Dominic and I … all of us feel the same.
“She didn’t just save your mom and Dominic. She saved this entire family. And now, knowing what Kyla really did–and how blind I was back then–it tears me apart inside.
“If I see Tilda again, I honestly don’t know how to face her. The guilt would drown me. And if your mom finds out … Darell, she’s already fragile. It would break her.
“For now, don’t tell your mother about any of this.”
“But, Dad, Mom treasures Kyla so much. If Kyla ever tries to use Mom-”
“I’ll make her regret she was ever born!” Russell cut him off, his voice sharp.
The hostility and hatred pouring off him hit Darell like a wave. Darell froze, stunned. He had never seen his father like this. At home, Russell was always the kind, easygoing parent. But in the business world, he was the man who had built Jenson Group from the ground up–fighting through rivals, carving his way forward until Slosa saw him as untouchable. Now, he had turned the same ruthlessness against Kyla.
But underneath it was also disappointment in her, fierce protectiveness toward his wife, and crushing guilt toward Tilda.
“I understand, Dad,” Darell said quickly. “For Mom’s sake, we can’t let her know about Kyla. But what about my brothers?”
“Call Justin and Kayden. Tell them to come down. And make sure they don’t alarm Kyla.” Russell’s voice was filled with rage every time he said Kyla’s name. He couldn’t even bring himself to acknowledge Kyla as his daughter. To him, she no longer deserved their family name. Someone this vile didn’t deserve to be part of their family.
The one who truly carried their blood–the girl who should have been their cherished little princess–had been driven away by their foolish choices. Tilda had cut all ties, leaving nothing behind. The thought made Russell’s chest seize with pain. His heart ached all over again.
“I understand,” Darell said softly, bracing himself for what was to come.