Chapter 6 Walking Away from the Jensons "I don't need this family , Mr. Jenson . " Tilda's 78 % +10 Free Coins eyes flashed with disdain as she took a slow , steady breath . At last , she spoke the words she'd been holding back for years . " You treat Kyla like she's the center of your universe , terrified someone might threaten her spot . " Well , from this moment on , I'm cutting all ties with this family . I'm no longer your daughter . " Without another word , Tilda turned and walked upstairs , ignoring every stare in the room . As the words left her lips , an unexpected calm settled over her . The last thread of attachment had finally snapped , and she could let go . When she came back down , the living room was frozen in silence . The Jensons were too stunned to react . With a small suitcase in one hand and a plain backpack slung over her shoulder , she gave them a cold glance and headed for the front door . " Wait ! " Russell finally snapped out of it . " Tilda , are you serious ? " " Dead serious, Mr. Jenson . Isn't this what you all wanted ? " A faint smirk curved her lips as she dragged her suitcase outside , not bothering to look back . Inside , Kyla was nearly glowing with joy . She couldn't believe Tilda had just handed over her place as the rightful heiress without a fight . It was more than she'd ever dared hope for . Still , she had to play the part . " Wade , you need to stop her , " Kyla cried , grabbing his arm . " If anyone should be leaving , it should be me , not her ! " She must be heartbroken over the misunderstanding . Please - go talk to her ! " Wade didn't answer right away . His face was tight with mixed emotions . Sure , a part of Wade had wished Tilda would just disappear forever so Kyla wouldn't get hurt or overshadowed . 4 1/4 Г 23:13 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 6 Walking Away from the Jensons But blood ties are hard to ignore . Like it or not , Tilda was his sister . 78 % +10 Free Coins And deep down , he knew - it was their blind faith in Kyla , their constant readiness to believe the worst in Tilda - that had pushed her to this point . For once , guilt crept in . Kyla caught the flicker of hesitation on his face , and panic shot through her . The Jensons still cared about Tilda . If she didn't move fast , they might grow close again , and then ... there might not be a place for her in this family anymore . " Fine ! Go ahead and leave ! " Russell's temper snapped . " Walk out that door and don't come back ! As far as I'm concerned , I have no daughter ! " Did this girl really think she could threaten him ? That she could just storm out of the house and cut ties ? Did she think he'd fall for it ? Russell had seen it all in his years running the business world . He was certain that Tilda would regret this and come crawling back . No one in their right mind walked away from a life of luxury and privilege . " Enough , Russell ! " Blair's voice cracked like a whip . The change in him was instant . He shrank back , his fear of his wife plain for everyone to see . " Mom , please , go after her , " Kyla said , her voice trembling as she switched to a softer approach , directing her plea at Blair . " I'll talk to her ," Blair said , striding toward the door . " Russell , Wade - stay here with Kyla ." " This is all my fault , " Kyla cried , collapsing to the floor as tears streamed down her face . "If I hadn't cried and made everyone misunderstand Tilda , none of this would've happened . I'm just a burden . I should be the one leaving this family . " Wade's chest tightened . Seeing Kyla cry tore him apart . 1 " Kyla , no ," he said quickly . " This isn't on you . You were upset - anyone would be . We're the ones who shouldn't have kept things from you . That's what made everything blow up . " Russell let out a long sigh . " Wade , take Kyla to her room . I'll deal with the rest . " O O 2/4 く 23:13 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 6 Walking Away from the Jensons ། Blair caught up to Tilda just outside the door . " Tilda , wait ! " 78 % +10 Free Coins Tilda stopped and slowly turned , her voice calm and distant . " Mrs. Jenson , what is it ? " " I know you're hurt . I know you think we've treated you unfairly . If an apology is what you want , then we'll give it . But please - don't talk about cutting ties . Things aren't what you think . " You're my daughter , " Blair said , her voice shaking , eyes glistening . " I carried you for nine months . You're a part of me . How could we ever not want you ? " She meant it . She cared for Tilda - she always had . But with Kyla in the picture , the choice between them had never been simple . In her heart , they were both her daughters , just in different ways . Tilda studied the woman in front of her - elegant , tearful , and heartbroken . She lamented . In another life , there had been so many moments when she'd been ready to walk away . But each time , Blair's kindness had pulled her back . She had stayed , soft - hearted and desperate for love , and it had trapped her . In the end , she had sunk deeper and deeper until there was no way out - betrayed by Kyla , left to die in a burning warehouse . She had felt the searing agony of flames consuming her and the crushing loneliness of being abandoned by her own family . This time around , Tilda swore she would never endure that pain again . " I don't need it . And it's too much for me ," Tilda said firmly . " Mrs. Jenson , this is my choice . Don't carry it like it's your burden . " I'm not going to do anything stupid . I'll be fine - better than fine . " " Tilda ... " Blair reached out instinctively to stop her . But Tilda stepped back . " Goodbye , Mrs. Jenson . Let's end this with some dignity . " You already have the daughter you've always cherished . As for me , I'll find my own way . " If she was going to cut ties , she'd do it clean - no loose ends . 4 ||| о 3/4 23:13 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 6 Walking Away from the Jensons X 78 % +10 Free Coins Ignoring Blair's desperate plea, she gripped the handle of her suitcase , turned her back , and walked out of the villa . Just like the day she first arrived . Back then , she had come with nervous excitement - hope , fear , and even joy . This time , her heart was steady . There was no shock , no grief - only clarity . When you've truly made up your mind , that first step isn't nearly as hard as you thought . That family had given her nothing but scars , and there was nothing left to mend . Blair stood frozen , watching her daughter disappear down the hill , completely at a loss . Just yesterday , Tilda had looked at her with wide , hopeful eyes and sneakily called her " Mom . " Like a child afraid to do anything wrong . She longed for a mother's love , but the gap between them made her afraid of upsetting Blair , so she trod carefully , never daring to get too close . If it weren't for her face , Blair might not have recognized the girl walking away now . Tilda rolled her suitcase down the slope and raised a hand to flag a taxi . The driver had the radio on , and just as she climbed in , a news segment about the Jensons scandal blared through the speakers . " Where to , miss ? " he asked . " A nearby motel ," she said . " One that doesn't require ID . " She didn't have a place to stay yet . Tilda barely had any money left . First things first - she needed cash . Without it , even feeding herself would be a problem .