Out of the Shadows: Tilda’s Brilliant Second Life

Chapter 562: Breaking Away

Justin found Dominic in the hospital’s smoking area.

“Dominic, you needed me?”

Dominic stubbed out his cigarette and spoke evenly. “If I hadn’t called, Kyla would’ve dragged you into staying, wouldn’t she? I just gave you an excuse to get out.”

Justin let out a weary smile. “You saw right through me, Dominic. Honestly, that phone call saved my life.”

“Is it really that dramatic?”

Dominic’s craving stirred again as he pulled out another cigarette. Seeing this, Justin quickly reached over to stop him. “Come on, one’s enough when you’re upset. Too many will tear your body apart.”

“I know all that,” Dominic said. “But sometimes a cigarette, a drink… they’re the only things that take the edge off. Nothing else even comes close.”

In the end, Dominic put the pack away.

“You never used to smoke…” Justin murmured.

“You know that was before,” Dominic said flatly. “Before we found Tilda, before everything that happened. Back then, I didn’t need it. Now? If I don’t, the pressure eats me alive.”

Justin lowered his eyes in silence.

Dominic went on, “Every time I see Kyla, I’m reminded of what she did to Tilda. And of the damage we, as a family, caused her. I thought I could pretend it didn’t tear me up inside, but I can’t. Things with Kyla will never go back to the way they were.

“And just now, seeing Tilda, hearing Mom speak to her without knowing the truth… I don’t even want to imagine what’ll happen the day she finally learns everything.”

“One step at a time. We can’t change the future, but we also can’t keep letting Kyla run wild. She probably already senses the distance between us. If she keeps pushing it, no one will be able to save her.”

A cold glint of killing intent flickered in Dominic’s eyes.

It made Justin’s chest tighten.

This time, Dominic meant it.

Because they had trusted Kyla, because of her lies, they had ended up hurting Tilda.

Now that the truth was out, the reason they hadn’t thrown Kyla out of the family immediately wasn’t just because of Blair.

It was also because of 18 years of living under the same roof, the last shred of sibling bonds that still lingered.

The Jenson family had already done more than enough for Kyla.

She better not let them down again.

A week slipped by in the blink of an eye.

The New Year had passed.

Tilda stood at the airport, sending off her seniors and Rain.

“Time flew by so fast. I don’t want to leave you, Tilda…” Rain whined, his voice edged with a childish pout. “Why don’t I just stay a little longer to keep you company?”

Tilda reached out, ruffling his silver hair with a smile. “Come on, the two organizations just merged. You can’t dump everything on your people. You’re the boss of both Skin and R Organizations now. You’ve got responsibilities. I’ll come visit when I get the chance.”

Rain’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really? You promise? You can’t lie to me!”

“You little brat,” Tilda teased. “After all this time, have I ever lied to you? Don’t push it.”

With that, she playfully mussed his hair until it became messy.

“Ahh, Tilda, stop! My hair’s gonna fall out!”

“Alright, enough. Your flight’s about to board. We should leave.”

“Okay…” Rain replied.

Tilda hugged each of her seniors one by one.

“Take care of yourselves. I’ll come visit when I can. And you’re always welcome to come back to Slosa to see me.”

“For sure!”

She watched their figures fade into the airport entrance.

Liam had put all his work aside for now, choosing to stay with Dane and help him through his treatments.

Dane, on the other hand, had no choice but to head straight to the front lines of lithography machine production, offering critical guidance and overseeing progress. It was a matter of national importance–one that couldn’t afford mistakes.

Moving to a different rhythm altogether, Mystro also had to return home. With Motrar and Cetherland celebrating the winter holiday in their own ways, he needed time to prepare for his latest art exhibition–one that would push his career into even higher circles.

When Tilda finally returned to her apartment, the silence hit her.

The once lively living room stood empty.

For a fleeting second, she could almost see it as it once was–everyone crowded around the table, playing board and mobile games, cracking sunflower seeds, sipping bubble tea, laughter echoing off the walls.

“Everyone’s got their own goals. And they’re all moving forward without hesitation.”

The New Year might have passed, and the festive air still lingered. But to her, it already felt a little lonely.

She drew in a deep breath.

It was time for her to commit to her own path and step toward something new.

Without wasting another moment, Tilda picked up her phone and dialed Benedict.

The call connected almost immediately.

“Well, this is a rare surprise. Happy New Year, Tilda.”

“Happy New Year, Mr. Benedict. I wanted to ask about the office you promised Comet Squad, and the visit to headquarters. When might you have time to arrange that?”

“You do realize it’s still the holiday, right? Why the sudden urgency? Did something happen?”