Chapter 64 Nothing but Her Duty

In a way… Blair is scarier than the rest. She dragged me, her own daughter, into hell without even knowing it, hurt me again and again, and then stood there acting touched by her own “sacrifice.”

“You really think giving me a fancy bedroom, expensive food, and a team of servants was enough? You think that makes you a mother? No, you treated me like a well-trained pet, raised just to please you.

“You never once stood up to Wade for ignoring me and treating me coldly, for spoiling Kyla while pretending I wasn’t there!

“You even joined in! You showed me by example that I wasn’t worth anything. Just like Russell, you gave Kyla everything she wanted and showered her with love, while your so-called real daughter was left out completely!

“Blair, do you think you’re innocent just because you didn’t hit me? Do you even realize your silence, your cold neglect, cuts deeper than any knife? Do you know that when I needed you most, when I was drowning in despair, you said nothing? You just watched me suffer. And that alone stabbed straight through my heart.

“You love reminding me that you’re my real mother. Then tell me–why, when I cried for you to save me, did you look away? But the second I broke away from the Jensons, you showed up, acting noble, using the fact you gave birth to me like a weapon to hold me down?”

A mother like that…

She doesn’t deserve my respect and my love.

The only reason Tilda hadn’t already burned the Jensons to the ground was that, in this second life, all she wanted was distance.

She wanted to completely cut ties, stay far away, and live a free, beautiful life.

Because her life, after all, came from Russell and Blair.

No matter how much she hated the blood in her veins, how much she despised the body and name she carried, that fact would never change.

That debt had already cost her her life once. So, in this life, she just wanted to cut ties, which was exactly as the Jensons wanted, leaving them behind.

But still, she couldn’t understand. Why wouldn’t they stop bothering me? Why do they keep forcing themselves into my life?

Why?

Is it because I’m still Russell and Blair’s daughter?

Because I carry Jenson blood, I’m doomed to be their pet, trampled whenever they feel like it, denied even the right to say “no,” denied the right to run?

“Tilda! Y–you misunderstood me. Wade and the others only acted coldly because they didn’t know you yet. You just came back–it’s normal there’s some distance.

“Kyla is just a foster daughter, but she grew up with your brothers. Of course, she’s close to them. Of course, Wade spoils her. That’s natural. Since you’re older, you should give her space. Stop being so jealous and fighting with her about everything.

“Kyla’s pitiful enough already–she grew up without parents. And ever since she learned who you are, she’s been wanting to leave, to give the spot of ‘Jenson daughter’ back to you. She’s been heartbroken over your misunderstanding. In your eyes, just because she has no blood ties, does that mean she’s not your sister?

“You promised me you’d be tolerant of Kyla! Trust me, once Wade and the others spend more time with you, they’ll love you. You’re their real sister. You share Jenson blood. That bond can’t be broken!”

Blair was flustered, but her voice was firm, almost righteous.

She didn’t feel guilty at all.

Tilda is the real Jenson daughter–that’s undeniable.

And with that comes inheritance, wealth beyond what most people could dream of in a thousand lifetimes.

I’ve given Tilda money and security. She no longer has to live in tiny rented apartments or move around like a wanderer.

As for love? That just needs time. Relationships can’t be rushed.

I haven’t done anything wrong!

Tilda couldn’t help it–she laughed.

She covered her face, but the bitter laugh still spilled out, unstoppable:

In her last life, when Tilda had wanted to walk away, Blair had said these exact same words.

And she had believed them. She had stayed, and like a fool, she had given everything–her time, her heart, her efforts–without asking for anything in return.

She told herself it was only a matter of time.

Only a matter of patience.

That if she waited long enough, worked hard enough, and swallowed her pride enough, one day they would turn and finally see her, love her.

Whatever Kyla wanted, Tilda gave up.

She was scared to outshine Kyla, scared to take attention away from her or her brothers. So she dimmed herself on purpose–pretending to be weak and average.

She had watched Russell and the others spend hours choosing gifts for Kyla, while she only ever got whatever Kyla didn’t want.

And she forced herself to believe those leftovers were gifts they had picked out for her.

She believed she was the older sister, and Kyla the younger one, fragile, with her special spot in the family.

So, as the big sister, it was Tilda’s job to give way, to let Kyla shine.

But after all those years, after everything she gave, one truth never changed.

Every time they picked a gift, no one ever asked Tilda what she wanted.

They only asked Kyla.

Always Kyla first. Always.

Her sacrifices had been treated as nothing but her duty.