Chapter 9 The Dancing Star of Nightingale Bar 78 % +10 Free Coins Clive Rowse , Wade's childhood friend , sprawled across the leather couch with his arms stretched along the backrest , watching Wade down one beer after another without saying a word . Clive's mouth twisted into a smirk . When Wade still stayed quiet , Clive leaned over and smacked his arm . " Alright , that's enough . If you're wasted , I'm not hauling you home . I'm not letting your dad chew me out for it . " " It's just beer . I'm fine , " Wade muttered , but he finally set the bottle down and leaned back . A cool breeze drifted in from the river as Wade tilted his head , eyes tracing the night sky . Clive loosened his pink tie and shot a playful wink at a woman walking past . With his sharp suit , polished style , and easy confidence , he looked every bit the charmer . The purple diamond in his ear caught the low glow of the bar lights , flashing just enough to draw the eye . Still , the women weren't looking at Clive . They were looking at Wade - and who could blame them ? The Jensons were a good - looking bunch . All seven sons had inherited Russell and Blair's flawless features , each with his own kind of appeal . Wade had chiseled cheekbones , a sharp nose , and lips that looked like they belonged on a magazine cover . Add his slightly messy hair , and he could've walked straight off a fashion shoot . " Every time we go out , I might as well be invisible . No one even notices me , " Clive grumbled , shooting Wade a sulky look . Wade closed his eyes , ignoring him . Since Wade wasn't biting , Clive dropped the teasing . " I saw the news . Is that what's eating at you ? You worried about Kyla ? " " That's part of it . " Wade let out a slow breath . " The other thing is , we all accused Tilda yesterday - wrongly . It cut her deep . She said she's done with us , packed up , and moved out . " Clive clicked his tongue . " Wait - you guys thought she leaked the story ? " Wade didn't answer , which was answer enough . Clive coughed a little . " Man , talk about jumping the gun . Still , isn't this kind of a messed - up win for you ? Your family thought your real sister died years ago . Now she's back , but Kyla's in the way . And you've always liked Kyla better , right ? " O 4 1/6 23:20 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 9 The Dancing Star of Nightingale Bar * 78 % +10 Free Coins Wade didn't hide it . " Yeah . Kyla's been with us since she was one . We grew up together . She's always been sweet and thoughtful . I never felt anything for Tilda . Honestly , I used to think it'd be better if she never came back . It would only hurt Kyla ." " Then there you go ! " Clive lifted his glass . " Tilda's gone , no strings attached . Time to celebrate . Cheers ! " Celebrate ? Yeah , maybe I should be happy . So why did watching Tilda walk away feel so heavy ? And why did Mom's failed attempt to stop her hit me like a punch in the gut ? Maybe it's guilt . Or maybe it's that unshakable blood tie - no matter how hard I tried to deny it , Tilda is still my sister . If she'd been the one behind the scandal , Wade might've applauded when she walked out . But when she left , it felt like they owed her something they could never repay . Earlier that day , over at Orica University , Wade had done something he'd never done before -he asked around about Tilda . No one had seen her . No one knew where she went . Russell brushed it off , saying she'd come home once she was done sulking . He told everyone to just let her be . Everyone , except Blair . She was the only one who would miss her . To the Jensons , Kyla was enough . She always had been . And the seven brothers felt the same way . Then , out of nowhere , Wade spotted a familiar figure . He froze . " Tilda ? Over here ! " It was Una waving at someone . Tilda walked toward them with an easy smile . 4 III O 2/6 23:20 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 9 The Dancing Star of Nightingale Bar 78 % +10 Free Coins She wore a crisp white blouse tucked into fitted jeans , finished with sneakers . No makeup- yet her natural beauty lit her up from the inside . Her starlit eyes and graceful features caught the sunlight with every step . People turned to look as she passed . Even Wade was taken aback . Is Tilda always this beautiful ? I couldn't remember noticing on campus before . The first time she'd caught his attention was when he learned she was the sister they'd lost for 19 years . Her first visit to the family home had been a disaster - nervous , awkward , and constantly searching for approval . That weak , needy look had grated on him , and she'd made a terrible first impression . To Wade , a Jenson carried themselves with pride and presence . Compared to Kyla , Tilda had fallen flat . And he wasn't the only one who thought so . Afraid she'd threaten Kyla's place , none of them had treated Tilda kindly . But this Tilda - confident , glowing , and completely transformed - was almost unrecognizable . She carried herself like she owned the place , every step steady and sure . Her presence pulled people in ; it was like the spotlight followed her . " Wow ! Total knockout ," Clive said with a grin . " Wade , even you can't look away . That's saying something . " When Tilda stepped onto the second - floor rooftop bar , Clive's gaze locked on her . " That's Tilda ," Wade said grumpily . " What ? No way ! That's- " Clive squinted . " Wait ... that's Tilda ? She looks nothing like her photos ! " At first , he thought Wade was just drunk , mistaking some random woman for his long - lost sister . But as he studied her , his breath caught . It really was Tilda . Same face . Completely different vibe . The change in her was so striking , it felt like seeing a different person entirely . O 4 O III O 3/6 23:20 Thu , Sep 4 \\ Chapter 9 The Dancing Star of Nightingale Bar Tilda didn't notice them . She walked straight to Una . " I'm late . Sorry for keeping you waiting , " she said , flashing a warm smile . " You're not late at all - wait , Tilda ... You look different . " 林 78 % +10 Free Coins Una , in a white dress and with soft , flowing hair , gave off a sweet , harmless air . She'd been worried that cutting ties with the Jensons would break Tilda . But now ... Tilda seemed better than ever . Brighter . Alive . " I am different , " Tilda replied simply , her smile unwavering . She had finally seen the truth about family bonds . And she was done pretending . This was the real her . " I was worried , " Una admitted . " But you actually seem happier . " " Cheers , Una . Let's celebrate my rebirth . No - let's call it escaping a miserable life ." Tilda picked up Una's Bloody Mary and clinked glasses with her . She took a long sip , the icy , spiced drink jolting her senses awake . The wind brushed her face . City lights danced on the water . Her best friend was beside her . She was alive . She was free . Life was wonderful . Why waste energy chasing something that was never Her voice was soft - but Wade , watching from across the bar , caught every word . A storm of emotions churned in Wade's chest , a tangled mess of feelings he couldn't name , " Escaping a miserable life ? Yikes , " Clive muttered . " Sounds like your family didn't treat her right . " He clicked his tongue and looked away . He hadn't meant to pry - it wasn't his business . But Tilda had walked away from an identity most girls could only dream of - and she'd done it willingly . And knowing the way Wade had always spoken about her . If life in the Jensos hadn't been truly miserable , who would give up the family they'd fought so hard to find- and an identity that precious ? Wade didn't answer . He tipped back his bottle and drained the rest . 4 4/6 78 % Chapter 9 The Dancing Star of Nightingale Bar Escaping a miserable life . Was that what leaving home meant for Tilda ? Is she really okay - or just pretending , acting like she didn't care when she actually did ? +10 Free Coins " Tilda , you don't have to be strong all the time , " Una said softly . " I told you - I'm your friend . If it ever gets too heavy , you can lean on me . My shoulder's right here ." best Una's chest tightened . She knew better than anyone how much Tilda had longed for a family -how desperately she'd wanted that warmth . When the Jensons came with a DNA test and took her home , Una had never seen her so happy . Tilda had cried - more than once . And when she was drunk , she'd clung to Una and sobbed , " I finally have a family . A mom . A dad . Brothers . They'll protect me . I'm no longer an orphan ." " Then , let me borrow your shoulder , " Tilda whispered , leaning in and wrapping her arms around her . Eyes shut . Tilda spoke from the bottom of her heart . " I'm so lucky to have you , Una ? Una's throat tightened , her eyes burning . She truly felt sorry for Tilda . " Hey , don't be sad . I'll always be here with you ," she murmured , holding back her tears and comforting her . " Mhm . " Tilda blinked away the sting - not because of the Jensons , but because she finally realized how foolish she'd been . In her last life , Tilda had given up everything for people who never truly valued her . This time , she had a second chance . The music kicked in , thumping through the dance floor . " Una , I want to dance . " This time around , Tilda just wanted to be happy . No more worrying about what anyone thought . She wanted to let go . To live . DO 4 ||| O 5/6 23:21 Thu , Sep 4 Chapter 9 The Dancing Star of Nightingale Bar " I'll be right here , cheering you on , " Una said with a smile . 78 % +10 Free Coins Tilda gave her a playful pat on the head before standing and unbuttoning her blouse . Underneath , a sleek black vest hugged her frame , showing off her toned abs . She stepped into the center of the dance floor . The beat dropped - Tilda came alive ." A total knockout , she caught every man's eye the moment she started moving . Whistles and shouts rang out , but she didn't care . Eyes closed , she gave herself to the music , moving with fierce , unrestrained energy . She was electric - more than graceful , she was powerful . Every turn , every sway , radiated a wild , magnetic pull that drew the whole room in . Wade stood frozen , staring like he'd never seen her before . He had no idea Tilda could dance -much less command an entire room . That raw energy flooded the bar , lifting the atmosphere to a fever pitch . " Encore ! Encore ! " the crowd roared . They wanted Tilda to dance for another song . Even Clive was on his feet , clapping like an overexcited fan . Meanwhile , on the fourth floor of Nightingale Bar , in a private booth , a pair of sharp , hawk- like eyes tracked her every move - silent , focused , locked on the girl setting the dance floor on fire .