Chapter 11 How Could You Compare to Kyla ? +10 Free Coins Tilda didn't even say goodbye - she just walked off , and that alone was enough to set Wade's temper off . " Wade , your sister's leaving without a word ," Clive said , nudging him as they both watched her disappear into the night . " At least say hi to us - we did step in to help her back there ." Although , if Clive was being honest , with the way Tilda had handled herself , he doubted she'd needed saving at all . One solid kick from her and those guys would've been out cold . And this was Nightingale Bar , after all - Maurice's place . The security here wasn't just for show . Their rescue was pointless . " Forget her , " Wade muttered through clenched teeth . He was still furious . Tilda - breaking ties with the family ? Fine . Let her . " Oh , sure , " Clive said , barely hiding his smirk . " You say you can't stand her , that you're afraid she'll take Kyla's spot at home - but the moment she's in trouble , you're the first one to step in . Classic Wade . " Tough words , soft heart . That was him all over . After all , Tilda was the little sister who'd been missing for 19 years before finally coming home . Still, every family had its drama , and the Jensons were neck - deep in theirs . Even as close as Clive was to Wade , he wouldn't touch that mess . He had more than enough chaos to deal with in his own family . " I'm going to the restroom , " Wade said abruptly , then stormed off toward the first floor . " Pfft ! " Clive burst out laughing the moment Wade was gone . " Hey , Wade - aren't there bathrooms on the second floor ? " Wade either didn't hear him or chose to ignore it . O 4 III O く 1/5 23:21 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 11 How Could You Compare to Kyla ? Meanwhile , in the fourth - floor VIP lounge , Jude rose from his seat . 77 % +10 Free Coins Maurice arched a brow . " Heading out already , Jude ? Why not stick around a little longer ? " " I've got something to take care of . " The words were simple , but the icy edge in his voice was sharp enough to chill the air . Maurice let out a low whistle . Preston had no idea what kind of storm he'd just called down on himself . It was bad enough to toss Jude's name around like it was some kind of VIP pass - Jude despised that . And when Jude hated something , he didn't just let it go . Preston was about to wish he'd never been born . But Maurice could tell there was more to it than that . Jude's anger had been simmering long before Preston's little stunt . No , that spark had been lit the second that woman stepped onto the dance floor - moving through the crowd like a queen . Untouchable . Unforgettable . " Oh , and one more thing , " Maurice called after him with a sly grin . " I gave both ladies an Elite Diamond Card . Maybe drop by more often - you just might run into them again . " " Busybody , " Jude said coolly without glancing back , striding out of the room . Maurice leaned back on the sofa , hands behind his head , a slow , knowing smile playing on his lips. This is going to be interesting . Outside the bar , Wade stepped out just in time to see Tilda helping Una into a cab . Tilda noticed him , too . Her gaze flicked his way for a heartbeat before she turned back to Una , as if she hadn't seen him at all . " Tilda , I think that's your brother , " Una murmured , squinting into the shadows . It was hard to tell in the dim light . Honestly , what would Wade be doing here ? Coming to find Tilda ? That didn't seem likely . Wade was practically a legend at Orica University . Not just because of the Jensons name- though that certainly helped - but because he was brilliant . Top SAT scorer , recruited by 2/5 DO 4 111 O 23:22 Thu , Sep 4 \ Chapter 11 How Could You Compare to Kyla ? +10 Free Coins Orica before the semester even started . He could have gone to any Ivy League school , but he chose to stay close . Why ? So he wouldn't be too far from home . Or more accurately , too far from Kyla . He was ridiculously handsome , the perfect picture of the Jensons ' looks and presence . The kind of guy who could stop a hallway conversation just by walking past - a campus heartthrob through and through . " That's him , " Tilda said flatly . " But it doesn't matter anymore . " " Tilda ... " Una's voice wavered . Her throat tightened , and her eyes stung . She hurt for Tilda . What had happened in just two weeks ? When Tilda first returned to the Jensons , she had been glowing - talking about them with so much hope , like she'd finally found where she belonged . Now ? Something had shattered that dream badly enough for her to walk away without looking back . Her voice was soft , but Wade heard every word . And it didn't sit well with him . He walked toward her . " Tilda ! " His voice was sharp and cold - cutting through the night like a blade of ice . Tilda turned slowly , her lips curling into a faint , biting smile . Yes . That tone - distant , detached , as if she were nothing to him - was exactly what she expected . So different from the warmth in his voice whenever he said Kyla's name . And even though her chest ached , she felt a strange sense of peace . Because the colder he became , the more certain she was that she'd made the right choice . She met his eyes without flinching . " Can I help you , Senior ? " The word hit Wade like a slap . And just like that , a memory crashed over him - the Tilda who had just come home . Back then , she'd called him brother in a timid , almost trembling voice , testing the waters , desperate for his acknowledgment but terrified of rejection . And all he'd thought about was Kyla - how she might feel . O 4 3/5 ||| 23:22 Thu , Sep 4 77 % +10 Free Coins Chapter 11 How Could You Compare to Kyla ? So he'd ignored Tilda . Looked down on her . Treated her like she didn't belong . He'd even snapped at her , telling her not to call him brother . Because she didn't deserve it . That title was reserved for Kyla . Only Kyla . He remembered the way her eyes dimmed , the way the light in them went out completely . The way her heart shattered in front of him He'd be lying if he said he felt nothing . The truth was , it had left a small , bitter pit of guilt in his chest . But pride had kept him from apologizing . And now ? He did what he'd always done - pretended it never happened and turned away . Damn it ! Why was that memory clawing its way back now ? Why did I suddenly feel like garbage ? He didn't have an answer , so he pushed that thought aside . So instead , he lashed out . " Tilda , what are you doing in a place like this ? " delseblillaiuantuhlage aren't She scoffed , finding him utterly ridiculous . " Why shouldn't I be here ? You're here too , you ? " He hissed , " Dressed like that , you're bound to attract trouble ! It just happened - if I hadn't stepped in- " " Oh , please ! " she cut him off . I handled it just fine without you . I'm not delicate like Kyla ay m And this is Nightingale Bar - security's not just for show . Those creeps ? Already dealt with . " Her words cut straight through him , the cool edge in her tone making his blood boil . " Tilda , " he growled , " what makes you think you can compare to Kyla ? " The moment the words left his mouth , the air went still . Even his anger froze in place . Then came the regret - fast and cutting . He shouldn't have said that . Shouldn't have brought Kyla into it . Shouldn't have compared them yet again . He looked at Tilda , bracing himself for the hurt he was sure he'd see in her eyes . But there was nothing . Her face was unreadable , her voice calm . O 4 O 4/5 23:22 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 11 How Could You Compare to Kyla ? 77 % +10 Free Coins " Right . I could never compare to her , " she said evenly . " I'm just a nobody - an orphan with no power , no name , no standing . " So , you and I have nothing to do with each other anymore . Even if I drop dead right here , it has nothing to do with you . " If something happens to me , just keep walking . Pretend you were never there ."