Chapter 643 We Know How You Feel

"Ryan, I don’t care what you think now or how you might spin it later–the Jensons will never betray Tilda again!"

With that, Russell pushed Blair’s wheelchair forward in steady, determined strides, leaving without so much as a glance back.

Behind them, Ryan slowly gathered himself, a faint edge of regret creeping into his thoughts.

He had expected them to turn down his suggestion about Preston and Tilda, but he hadn’t intended to sever ties with the Jensons completely.

It was always wise to leave some room for future cooperation–especially since the Jensons had the Jenson Group standing behind them.

If he burned that bridge entirely, even he might not be able to manage the consequences.

But the words were already out. Now all he could do was wait for tempers to cool and look for a chance to apologize.

“Preston, go after them and tell them I’m sorry.”

“Alright.”

Preston understood how serious this was. Without hesitation, he hurried after them.

By then, Russell had already called for a luxury car through a premium ride service.

Blair let out a shaky breath. “Honey, thank you. Having you here makes me feel so much lighter."

“You’re silly," Russell teased gently. “After everything we’ve been through, all the storms we’ve survived, and you’re still thanking me? If you keep talking like that, I might actually get upset.”

Blair reached back to hold the hand he was using to push the chair, biting her lip. “The thing is … Ryan isn’t completely wrong. If I hadn’t made so many foolish choices that drove Tilda away, I would’ve argued back at him. But the words you just spoke… they gave me hope. They reminded me that it’s not too late for us to make things right.”

Yes, their mistakes belonged to the past–nothing could erase them. But giving up, letting failure define them, that would be the real tragedy. That would turn Blair into someone she despised: a woman who knew she was wrong yet refused to change.

At least now, they could speak with conviction. They could promise never to make the same mistakes again. They would never hurt Tilda again.

“Yes. The greatest fault lies with me. Tilda’s leaving is on my shoulders. As her father, I failed her when she needed me most–I turned cold, I misunderstood her again and again.

When I look back, I can’t imagine what madness made me so cruel. Tilda is our daughter. We lost her for 19 years. I nearly gave up on searching. And when we finally found her… I didn’t treasure her as I should have. It took losing her all over again to learn what regret truly means.

“I don’t deserve her forgiveness. I can hardly call myself her father, let alone face her. But Blair, we have to live with our conscience. We must admit that this daughter was lost to us once already. If we cling too tightly now, we’ll only break her spirit again. Do you understand?”

Russell’s sorrowful words cut deep, squeezing Blair’s chest until it hurt. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

“I’ll … I’ll try, darling.”

Justin’s condition was the result of her losing control, and it even caused her relationship with Tilda to further collapse.

Even Kyla had been dragged into the fallout.

Blair knew it was time to let go. The guilt, the bitterness–it had to be released.

Tilda’s life was her own now, beyond their control.

Blair no longer had the right to call herself her mother.

“Russell! Blair!”

Preston finally caught up to them. “I’m sorry… We’re truly sorry. My father spoke harshly because he was too worked up. Please forgive him …”

Russell exhaled softly. “This isn’t on you. I know you and Kyla grew up side by side, practically as childhood sweethearts. You’d never agree with Ryan’s plan. It’s his greed that made him think of such nonsense. Tell him that if he can’t let it go, our families won’t even remain friends.”

“Actually…” Preston hesitated, then steadied himself. “I’ve only ever seen Kyla as a sister. Nothing more.”

“What?!”

Russell and Blair froze in disbelief. “What are you saying? Haven’t you always had feelings for Kyla? We’ve watched you grow up together–we know how you feel. Or are you saying this now just because she was scarred, because she’s no longer-”

“No. You’ve misunderstood. Kyla turned me down again and again, so I gave up. I chose to see her as a sister instead. I didn’t want to keep chasing something I could never have. Maybe it’s selfish, but I just want a life of my own.”